Coronavirus: Police shut down secret wedding with 250 guests

Two people could be fined for illegal gathering with no social distancing

People had gathered without social distancing, police said (Getty Images)

Police have shut down a wedding attended by about 250 guests “in flagrant breach” of coronavirus regulations.

Officers from the Met revealed they were called to an address in Old Kent Road, southeast London, last Sunday night after neighbours suspected it was being burgled.

People inside had closed the shutters at the front to try to hide the celebrations, detectives said.

It is illegal for more than 15 people to attend a wedding, under measures to limit the spread of Covid-19.

Police dispersed the crowds, and two people were reported for potentially being given fixed penalty notices. A dedicated crime team will decide whether fines will be issued.

Detective superintendent Nicky Arrowsmith said: “This event was a blatant breach of the regulations, and could have been a breeding ground for transmitting the virus.

“There were over 200 people inside, no social distancing and indeed no attempts to make the venue Covid-secure, in line with the government guidelines.

“The guidelines are there for a reason – to keep people safe.

“Being reported for a fine is clearly not a wedding present people would be expecting. However, as this was such a flagrant breach of the regulations, it was entirely necessary.

“Officers across the Met will continue our efforts to keep London safe by shutting down those events which deliberately and dangerously put people’s health at risk.”

She appealed to anyone planning a wedding to ensure it complies with the regulations.

Earlier this month, the Met shut down a wedding in Southall, West London, that had more than 100 guests. The venue was fined £10,000.

And last month, a hall in Luton, Bedfordshire, which hosted a wedding attended by more than 100 people, was also given a £10,000 fine and ordered to close.