'It was like a festival': Huge mess but no fines after 2,000-strong party in park

Police were called to Cannon Hill Park in Birmingham on Tuesday after a party was advertised on social media on the second day that people have been able to leave home without a "reasonable excuse".

Around 2,000 people are thought to have gathered on the grass but none of them were fined despite the latest lockdown laws only allowing groups of up to six people to meet outside.

The gathering is thought to have involved students from across Birmingham, having been advertised on Facebook, with videos on social media showing people dancing, drinking and mock fighting as music blared.

Volunteers and council workers spent much of Wednesday clearing the park after plastic and glass bottles, bags, cups, food wrappers and other waste was left strewn across the area.

Adam Jones, from Moseley, said he saw a "couple of thousand" people convened in the park to the south of the city while out walking with his girlfriend on Tuesday evening.

"It has been noticeably busier since restrictions eased but yesterday was really busy," the 27-year-old said.

"While there were a fair few people in small groups respecting distancing, they were overshadowed by lots of big groups, sometimes up to 20 to 25 people, blaring music.

"We did one lap of the park and by the time we were leaving it looked like a festival.

"How it looked this morning was disgraceful, so much rubbish that a council worker estimated it would take the whole team most of the day to clear."

Groups of up to six, or two households, are now able to socialise in parks and gardens under the lockdown changes which also allow outdoor sports facilities to reopen.

Superintendent Farooq Sheikh, of Birmingham East police, said: "We had officers at Cannon Hill Park yesterday following social posts suggesting that an organised gathering was planned.

"Officers initially found no breaches of coronavirus legislation, with people enjoying the weather in small, individual groups.

"Later on in the evening, the numbers increased and music and lighting equipment had been set up.

"We had a number of complaints from residents about traffic building up around the area.

"The crowds were good natured and engaged with officers, and the park was all clear by 11.30pm.

"Officers did not need to issue any fines.

"We will have extra police officers in the area today, who will be able to use our powers to quickly break up any gatherings that put people's health at risk.

"We want to reinforce that it is really important to remember that, while people can now meet up with five other people outside, large-scale organised events are still against the law."

UK nears record temperatures

The mercury continued to climb on Wednesday, with parts of the UK reaching almost 24C (75.2F) despite a cloudy start to the day.

In Weybourne, north Norfolk, the mercury had reached 23.9C (75F) during the afternoon, with the temperature across the south-east and London expected to rise higher into the evening.

Forecasters had said there was a 10 per cent chance the UK could see its hottest March day on record.

It comes after a 14-year-old boy died after getting into difficulties at Goit Stock waterfall in Cullingworth, West Yorkshire, on Tuesday evening.

Officers have asked for a group of males who tried to help to come forward so they can piece together what happened.

West Yorkshire Police said on Wednesday: "Emergency services were called just after 6pm yesterday evening to reports of a concern for safety.

"A 14-year-old male had entered the water and got into difficulty.

"Emergency services attended, including fire service, ambulance and underwater rescue teams and recovered a body from the water.

"Police are appealing for witnesses of the incident and in particular, there was a group of males in the area who tried to help the teenager and police would urge them or anyone in the area to come forward and assist with the circumstances of the incident."

The force urged the public to "think again" about the dangers of swimming in lakes, reservoirs, rivers and canals.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution also reminded people to "take care" if they visit the coast.