Officer injured and woman fined £10,000 after police shut down party of 150

Residents reported ‘unusually large number of vehicles’ outside property

A woman has been fined £10,000, and an officer left injured, after police were forced to close down an unlicensed music event which was attended by around 150 people.

Hertfordshire Police became aware of the event following reports of an “unusually large number of vehicles” parked near a property in Blanche Lane, South Mimms at about 8pm on Wednesday.

One person was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer while 12 attendees were given £200 fixed penalty notices.  

The event’s organiser, identified as a 22-year-old woman from London, was hit with the £10,000 fine for breaching coronavirus restrictions.

Upon arrival, officers searched a van outside which was found to contain a large amount of alcohol. Police then entered the property and found some 150 people inside, along with music equipment which was later seized.  

A Section 35 dispersal order was then put in place, and most people left the location.

So far 12 attendees have been issued with £200 fixed penalty notices but police said the investigation ongoing and further fines were likely to follow.

The police officer who was injured while dealing with the incident sustained only minor injuries. The person arrested for the assault has since been released on bail.

Chief superintendent Richard Liversidge, who leads the Local Policing Command, described the investigation as “incredibly fast-moving”.

“Thanks to vigilant local residents, who reported the large number of cars parked nearby, we were able to shut down the event before it had got into full swing – there were around 150 people in attendance when we got there, but we actually believe that the organisers were expecting at least 300 people to turn up,” Ch Supt Liversidge said.

He also made a “direct appeal” to any other members of the public “planning on organising or attending an event of this nature,” saying that by “breaching the current restrictions, you are disregarding all the sacrifices people have made in our national fight to stop the spread of coronavirus”.  

“The majority of people are playing their part, observing the rules, and doing what is necessary to help protect the NHS and save lives,” he said.

“Do not be the person that is making all their hard work redundant. Please do the right thing.”