Covid: Family say they ‘didn’t think’ about breaking rules after fines for 24-person party
Some attendees reportedly travelled over 60 miles to attend gathering
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A family who hosted a 24-person child's birthday party during the Covid-19 lockdown say they "didn't think" about breaking the rules.
Police were called to an address in Victoria Street, Mansfield on 4 February, after neighbours reported seeing a large gathering with party banners and barbeque outside.
On arrival, officers found 10 children and 14 adults inside a "small flat", some of whom had reportedly travelled there from Birmingham, some 65 miles away.
All the adults were subsequently handed fixed penalty fines, Nottinghamshire Police said, and ordered to break up the party and go home.
On Tuesday a member of the family, who has not been named, said they "didn't think about that", when asked by a Nottingham Live reporter if they had broken Covid-19 regulations.
Under current rules in England, people must not leave their homes unless for essential purposes such as work or exercise and social gatherings are banned.
Those flouting lockdown measures can be fined up £200 for the first offence, doubling for further offences up to a maximum of £6,400.
Fines of up to £800 can be issued to anyone attending a house party of more than 15 people, while those holding gatherings of over 30 people can be fined £10,000, according to government guidelines.
A member of the household denied the party was dangerous and could potentially have spread the infection, saying: "It was our family, we know they don't have coronavirus".
They also said they "didn't know" that around one in three people with the deadly disease does not show any symptoms.
Nottingham Police assistant chief constable, Steve Cooper, said it was "disappointing" that officers were forced to break up the large gathering.
In a statement last week following the incident, he added: "It is clear that there is still a minority of people who think the rules do not apply to them or that they can make up their own versions of the guidelines.
"When we attend a party we will firstly encourage people to disperse safely. We would appeal to all local residents to comply with the Covid-19 regulations which are there to protect everyone."
"It is the case that people are being issued fines for breaching the regulations, but more importantly the virus is spreading rapidly throughout the community and people are dying."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments