The Metropolitan Police Service has sent out a strong advise to people against attending large gatherings. This, the MPS says is for the protection of the public with a reminder that we are still in the middle of a global pandemic.

The statement reads:

Please be advised that you may also be at risk of committing a criminal offence. Under the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) Regulations 2020 (as amended), no person may participate in a gathering which consists of more than 30 persons either indoors, on a vessel, or in a public outdoor place, unless certain exemptions apply.

There is an exemption for a gathering organised by certain types of body (such as a business or a charity), having carried out a full risk assessment and taken all steps to limit the transmission of the virus. Other exemptions apply to gatherings that are necessary for the purposes of work, providing emergency assistance or escaping the risk of harm. This open letter does not contain all the provisions. 

To find the Regulations, look on line at www.legislation.gov.uk.

The Regulations specifically prohibit participation in indoor gatherings of more than 30 people for an event that would constitute a ‘Rave’.

If you attend a gathering of more than 30 persons, you may be committing an offence, which is punishable by a fine. If you hold a gathering over 30 persons you might be committing an offence under new changes to the Regulations. It is also an offence to encourage others to unlawfully participate in a large gathering.

It is your responsibility to check the position and ensure you are not committing an offence by being involved in a large gathering. We urge anyone arranging a gathering to inform your local police.

We all need to continue to do our part to prevent the spread of the virus.

MPS Commander Public Order.