WATCH: Students caught hiding from police in cupboard after lockdown party
Video footage has been released showing the moment police broke up a lockdown party at student accommodation in the West Midlands.
West Midlands Police issued around 50 fixed penalty notices after they broke up the gathering in Birmingham, which some of the revellers had travelled more than 170 miles to attend.
The force's Operational Support Unit were called to a party at the Canalside student residences in Lower Loveday Street just after midnight.
Party-goers had travelled from as far away as Newcastle, Nottingham and London.
WATCH the body-cam footage here:
More than 50 people are thought to have congregated together at the party and one group was caught hiding from police in a cupboard.
One officer was allegedly assaulted by a man who fled the party.
CCTV is being reviewed to identify the man in question and the officer was not harmed, police said, adding that officers will now be working with the university to identify the organiser.
Inspector Steve Barnes said: “We understand that young people are frustrated at not being able to enjoy themselves and I do feel their pain, but we have to stick to the rules so that we can get back to some sort of normality sooner rather than later.
“People are dying and we have to prevent the spread of this virus.
“We hear the criticism that some are saying about our actions to police restrictions and, we more than anyone, want to concentrate on catching criminals, so my message is clear – stick to the rules and let us do our job of protecting communities and solving crime.”
In total West Midlands Police officers went to 32 Covid breach incidents on Friday night and issued 58 £200 fines were along with five £1,000 fines which are usually given to the organisers of gatherings, or breaches at restaurant and fast food outlets.
Earlier in the evening, a party was also broken up on Soho Road where shop owners had set up a sound system and were eating and drinking.
Meanwhile around 20 people were found together celebrating a 30th birthday party at a house in Kingstanding, and several fast food outlets were reprimanded for serving customers after the 11pm curfew.
However, West Midlands Police said that officers found that restrictions were being adhered to in general while on patrol.
Insp Barnes added: “The vast majority of people are sticking to the rules and therefore helping to reduce the infection rate. Let us not be disheartened by the few who choose to do otherwise.”
