Moment 150 clubbers escape over rooftops after lockdown-breaking night out
Police busted a huge lockdown-flouting party and found 150 Covidiots enjoying themselves in a makeshift "nightclub".
During the police raid, officers were pelted with bottles and one was left injured BirminghamLive reports.
Officers went to a building near the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham and found it had been turned into a nightclub – complete with a bar, DJ and VIP area.
They went there in the early hours of Sunday, February 14, after receiving a tip-off that the illegal gathering was taking place.
In the building in Buckingham Street, they found around 150 people packed into the building across two floors.
Taxis were still dropping people at the building and officers forced their way inside and found it had been turned into a nightclub.
As well as the bar – complete with neon signs and a dance room – there was also a VIP area, DJ, a recording studio and a gym.
When officers tried to break up the illegal party, some were pelted with bottles, with one suffering a minor injury as a door was smashed open by people trying to break out.
The astonishing scene was captured on video by police – and included thermal imaging from drones of people trying to flee via the roof.
Boris Johnson hints Brits could need negative Covid test to go clubbing or to theatres
In all, 50 people are believed to have fled when police arrived, but some 70 were issued with £200 fines and the DJ could now face a £10,000 fine.
West Midlands Police Assistant Chief Constable Chris Todd condemned the lockdown flouters.
"Our officers continue to work long and hard to protect the public and reduce the spread of this deadly virus by breaking up these gatherings, often in really difficult circumstances," he said.
"It’s unacceptable that our officers came under attack, and that one suffered a minor injury, just for doing their job and enforcing laws that are in place to keep us all safe.
"While there’s much to be hopeful of in terms of the rollout of coronavirus vaccines, people must remember that we are still in lockdown and the virus is still a real threat to communities across the West Midlands.
"We thank those people who are supporting our efforts to keep the public safe by sticking to the rules and staying home. They are saving lives."
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