The organiser of a house party has been issued a £10,000 fine by Wiltshire Police.
It comes after officers were called to a house in Wick Lane, Devizes, on Friday night. Despite their requests for the event to be shut down in line with COVID-19 regulations, their pleas were ignored.
As a result, the organiser was issued the hefty fine and partygoers were dispursed.
Police forces in England have the power to issue a fine of £10,000 to those involved in the organisation of an illegal gathering. Regulations fix the financial penalty for someone involved in an unlawful gathering at £10,000. There is no discretion given to set a lower amount.
A spokesperson for Wiltshire Police said: “As we continue to navigate through the COVID pandemic, we all have to take personal responsibility for our actions and adhere to the regulations.
“Despite a warning, the organiser allowed the gathering of 80-100 people to continue which is in clear breach of the current restrictions which state that ‘no gathering of more than 30 people may take place indoors which would constitute a Rave if it were outdoors- amplified music, at night and due to loudness, duration and time it would likely cause significant distress to locals’.
“The organiser and everyone who attended was putting their own health and the health of others at risk.
“Officers attempted to engage with the group and educate them on the rules but we will enforce them if appropriate and proportionate.”