Illegal Sheffield rave shut down by police
Three other parties were also broken up by officers over Halloween
Despite South Yorkshire being under the toughest Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions - and a national lockdown approaching - police have shut down an illegal rave with over 300 party-goers.
The gathering, which took place over the Halloween weekend in a disused warehouse in Kelham Island, was stopped by officers in the early hours of Sunday morning.
A 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of obstructing a police officer and a sound system worth thousands of pounds was seized.
An investigation is underway to find out who organised it.
They could be made to pay a ÂŁ10,000 penalty - just like the nine other people who were hit with the fine on Saturday night for organising get-togethers. They were caught out by officers in three separate locations; Endcliffe Crescent, Club Garden Road and Stalker Lees Road. One of the parties was hosting 70 people.
Superintendent Paul McCurry, said: “We fully appreciate how difficult the last few months have been and this current situation is incredibly frustrating for everyone, however organising house parties at a time when the infection rate is rising so rapidly is extremely irresponsible.
“Hospital admissions are continuing to increase and in order for these to slow down, we must reduce the spread of the virus between different households.”
Issuing a warning to others, Supt McCurry continued: “Now more than ever, we all need to do our bit to slow the spread of this virus, and protect our health service. I hope that this serves as a warning that, where necessary, we will take action against those who show a clear disregard for the measures which are in place to protect others.”
Elsewhere in the county, twenty ÂŁ200 notices were issued in Ingbirchworth, Barnsley after police disbanded a gathering in the early hours of Saturday morning.