Coronavirus: Eight fined after police called to fight at lockdown birthday party

Guests deliberately coughed and spat in front of officers when asked to go home

Eight people were fined for breaching the lockdown after a fight broke out at a birthday party attended by 40 adults and children.

Police were called to the brawl on Saturday night – only to be abused by the guests at the celebration in Tonge Moor, Bolton.

Some of the group deliberately coughed and spit in front of officers after being asked to leave, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).

Seven people aged between 23 and 48 were arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly and for breach of Covid-19 regulations.

They were later released and issued with fixed penalties. An eighth person was given a fixed penalty at the scene in Wemsley Grove.

GMP assistant chief constable Robert Potts said the group had “flagrantly ignored” the lockdown regulations.

“When the vast majority of us are all making such sacrifices in order to reduce the transmission of the virus and save lives as a result it is really disappointing to see the rules being flagrantly ignored by those who are putting their own safety and the safety of so many others at risk,” he said.

“This remains an incredibly challenging time for everybody but we all need to follow the legislation and government guidance in order to save lives and protect the most vulnerable members of our communities.”

It came after police in Hackney warned they were “fighting a losing battle” as hundreds of people flocked to the parks to have a picnic with “pizza, beers, wines”.

HM Coastguard also said the public were ignoring government legislation and guidance as they reported a spike in the number of incidents over the bank holiday.