Wedding planner is first in Essex to be fined £10,000 for holding large gathering
A wedding planner has become the first person in Essex to be fined £10,000 for breaching current Covid-19 restrictions which prevent gatherings of more than fifteen people.
Around eighty guests were enjoying a sit-down meal when police arrived at the Ariana Gardens in Ivy Barn Lane in Margaretting on Sunday (11th October).
Police officers spoke to each guest to explain that the wedding was in breach of COVID-19 restrictions and all of those present were asked to leave.
A 41-year-old man who was the organiser of the wedding party now faces a fine of £10,000.
Essex police say that while the majority of people in the county continue to do all they can to support the regulations and help stop the spread of the virus, a "selfish few" think they can "flout the rules with no thought for the health risk posed by their actions".
More than 30 students from the University of Essex have been fined for breaching Covid-19 regulations
Over the weekend police broke up groups of students who were congregating in car parks and court yards at the university and stopped two house parties.
Essex Police say they've been working closely with the University to ensure students understood and followed restrictions.
They said only a small minority continued to ignore restrictions.
All those breaking the rule of six were issued with £200 penalties
Norfolk police broke up a party with more than one hundred people at an address in Norwich in the early hours of Sunday morning (11th October).
A 19-year-old woman and two 20-year-old women were issued with the fixed penalty notice police say, for holding a large gathering. A spokesperson for Norfolk police told ITV News Anglia, "As a police force, we fully appreciate how difficult the past six months have been for the county and we are pleased that the vast of majority of people have played and continue to play their part, following the guidance and legislation helping to protect Norfolk and prevent the spread of COVID-19."
"However, the infection rate is now rising rapidly across the country and we must carry on working together to keep everyone safe."
Read more: Three UEA students fined £10,000 each after huge house party held in Norwich