WATCH: Bilston birthday bash organiser fined £10,000 as police find 60 partying
The organiser of a birthday bash raided by police in Bilston has been hit with a £10,000 fine.
Officers from West Midlands Police were called to a function room on Dale Street and found dozens of guests pouring out, ignoring rules on gatherings and social distancing.
Inside, they found large balloon arches and sound systems, as well as a card reader and a draw of cash with alcohol, despite the venue not being licensed to sell drink.
More than 60 people were believed to have been at the event and the organiser has now been hit with a £10,000 fine.
Body-cam video shared by the force showed the moment officers broke up the party and saw bottles and snacks lined up inside.
WATCH the video here:
Superintendent Simon Inglis, from Wolverhampton Police spoke about the raid, describing it as a blatant breach of coronavirus law.
He said: "At a critical time for the health of the city, I think the vast majority of the community would agree that it was necessary to do so on this occasion.
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"We need to be really clear to those people who are thinking of arranging or attending such event that we will take action to protect the community.
"As well as issuing fines to those who arrange such events, those who attend also face the risk of individual fines, and we will not think twice about issuing them when necessary.
"Overall our aim is to help the community and be there when they need us rather than issuing fines for breaches of the regulations.
"However, we will continue to stand alongside our key public health stakeholders as well as the community and issue fines when required to ensure that people comply with the rules and keep the community safe."
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, Wolverhampton Council cabinet member for public health, said: “We all have a key role to play in the fight against Covid-19.
“Arranging and taking part in a party like this contravenes just about every Covid-19 regulation going and I am sure law-abiding residents will be as disgusted as I am at the actions of others who, through their thoughtlessness, are putting people’s lives at risk.”
The latest NHS statistics showed 761 people in the city had tested positive for Covid-19 in the week to Thursday.
There are 289 cases per 100,000 people in Wolverhampton.
The most recent bed occupancy figures showed the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust was treating 43 Covid-19 patients on Tuesday, about 10 per cent of whom were on ventilators.
