Students climb out windows as police break up ‘very large’ party in Lancaster

Up to 70 people were found at gathering, deputy chief constable says

Police were called to St George’s Quay in Lancaster in the early hours of Saturday to reports of a party (Google Maps)

Students have escaped through windows as officers broke up a “really large” party in breach of coronavirus regulations at the weekend, according to police.

Nearly 40 people were fined after police came across the event in student accommodation in Lancaster in the early hours of Saturday.

Deputy Chief Constable Terry Woods from Lancashire Police said officers attended a "really large party in some flats" in the city, after a member of the public raised the alarm around 1.30am.

He said officers found around 50 to 70 people there. 

“We caught 38, the others climbed out of windows and got out various other ways,” he told BBC Radio Lancashire.

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DCC Woods said he understood it was a “student, young people related” party in the flats on St George's Quay in Lancaster.

The Independent understands the gathering took place in privately managed student accommodation, which is off the Lancaster University campus.

The university said police had been in touch over “an incident off campus that consitutes a very serious breach” of both government and university coronavirus regulations. 

“We know that the vast majority of students are continuing to act responsibly and with concern for each other but we have reminded those that do not, that they will be subject to serious penalties both from the police and university," a statement said.

Lancaster University said breaches of their Covid-19 regulations can range from fines of £300 for minor breaches through to permanent exclusion for "the most serious offences", which includes large gatherings.

DCC Woods from Lancashire Police said the 38 people caught at the party had “predominately” been handed a £800 fine, which was recently brought in for house parties involving more than 15 people. 

The owner “will get a substantially larger fine", he added.

Last month, Priti Patel, the home secretary, announced a harsher fine for those attending house parties, starting at £800 and doubling on each additional offence to a maximum of £6,400.