Coronavirus: Police shut down 494 house parties in four days in Greater Manchester

Police in Greater Manchester say they were called to 494 house parties in four days as people continue to flout the coronavirus lockdown.

The force has released maps showing the 1,132 incidents they were called to from 25 March to 7 April.

However, one map shows there were a huge number of house parties as the weather warmed up last weekend.

The Manchester Evening News reported that DJs, fireworks and bouncy castles were found by police.

The maps show 166 street parties, 122 group gatherings for sporting activities, 173 gatherings in parks and 112 incidents of anti-social behaviour/public disorder also took place.

It comes as a selection of Manchester celebrities have shot home-made videos to urge people to stay at home over Easter because of coronavirus.

Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford and Michael Carrick, Manchester City’s Steph Houghton, Happy Mondays frontman Shaun Ryder and Coronation Street’s Dan Brocklebank have lent their support to the initiative, coordinated by police.

The videos, to be released across the long weekend, also feature key workers in the fight against COVID-19 including a nurse, a teacher, and police officers and staff.

It is hoped the campaign will stop people ignoring restrictions over the Easter weekend when the weather will again be warm and dry in many places.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has warned the lockdown could become stricter if some people continue to ignore the rules.

“Although the majority of the public across Greater Manchester have abided by the guidelines since they came into effect, last weekend saw a sharp increase in the number of COVID-19 breaches reported to police,” Greater Manchester Police said in a statement.

“Following this, high-profile voices from across Greater Manchester have joined together to support the #StayHomeSaveLives campaign to reinforce the importance of the government message to stay home, protect the NHS and save lives.

“Traditionally, Easter weekend sees increased activity in and around public spaces – including places of worship, beauty spots and town centres – as well as large gatherings of families and friends at residential properties.

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“This year celebrations will differ, as we continue to follow government guidelines and stay at home in an effort to help limit the transmission of COVID-19.”

Meanwhile, Northamptonshire Police Chief Constable Nick Adderley said his force is only “a few days away” from introducing measures such as road blocks and searching shopping trolleys as people continue to flout the coronavirus regulations.

He said a “three-week grace period” is over in the county and the force will now be issuing fines and arresting people breaking the rules.

The comments were branded “outrageous” by UK civil liberties group Big Brother Watch, which compared the measures to a “police state”.

Mr Adderley said forces are “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” when it comes to policing the new rules, and he added that government guidance on how to police the rules “could be even clearer”.

Senior ministers are set to decide whether to “enhance or change” UK lockdown rules at an emergency summit next week, one of them has told Sky News.

(c) Sky News 2020: Coronavirus: Police shut down 494 house parties in four days in Greater Manchester