Police pelted with bottles after breaking up illegal rave in Birmingham

Over a hundred £200 fines issued at warehouse party

Police issued more than 100 fines to partygoers after being pelted with bottles as they broke up an illegal rave.

Officers forced their way into the unlicensed event at a disused warehouse in the Digbeth area of Birmingham at around 9pm.

A 36-year-old man kicked out towards an officer and was arrested on suspicion of assault before being released under investigation.

Drugs, DJ equipment and a knuckleduster were seized at the scene.

The West Midlands Police force response team, which took part in the operation,tweeted: "All persons were lead out in small numbers.

"Their details were taken and fixed penalty notices were issued for breaching lockdown restrictions. The fine is £200 to be paid within 28 days."

West Midlands Police said they had issued more than 100 fines and were looking at pursuing further action against the organisers of the event.

Chief Superintendent Andy Beard said: "This was not only illegal, but extremely dangerous for both those who attended and officers.

"It's extremely disappointing that some are still not grasping that such events only increase the risk of spreading a deadly virus. It's also unacceptable that officers should be attacked while going about their duties.”

Meanwhile police dispersed a gathering of around 200 students in an outdoor courtyard at a halls of residence in Nottingham. Footage of the party in St Peter’s Court was posted on social media.

It was one of several gatherings broken up in the county over the weekend, including a house party which ended with 21 people being issued with £200 fines.

Two people were also arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer who attended an illegal gathering in Valley Road, Carlton.

Detective Superintendent Andrew Gowan, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:  “The very last thing we want to be doing as police officers is to be punishing people for gathering together and having fun. However, the current national restrictions are in place to protect the wider public from harm and we will keep enforcing them for as long as we need to."