Gatherings involving hundreds of people shut down by police in Birmingham
Two gatherings involving a total of 250 people in the West Midlands have been broken up by police amid the coronavirus crisis.
Officers had to intervene after a group of around 150 gathered on Friday evening – with a BBQ and a sound system put in place in Sutton Coldfield.
And they had to tackle an unlicensed music event at a leisure centre in Erdington where more than 100 people had gathered.
It comes after West Midlands Police urged people not to take part in parties and raves after 125 were shut down last weekend.
Supt Sarah Burton, from the force, said: "Large gatherings and unlicensed music events will not be allowed in our communities.
"They increase the risk of transmission of coronavirus.
"If you attend a gathering you may be leaving with more than you think."
Officers were called to Elliot Street in Nechells, Birmingham, last Saturday to find around 70 people having a rave with a DJ froGloucestershirere.
It was broken up by police who say they will continue to "monitor and act" on intelligence relating to large gatherings – which are still banned.
