Packed street party broken up by police after pubs close on 'Super Saturday'

A street party attended by around 200 people was dispersed by police in the early hours of this morning, Sunday July 5.

The party, which featured music being played over speakers, took place in Brook Lane in Montpelier and had begun on the day pubs reopened as part of lockdown easing.

Police first attended at 9pm, and had come to an agreement with the crowd that the music would be turned off.

But, at 1.30am, officers returned following a report of antisocial behaviour to disperse the crowd.

This morning, empty bottles and cans filled the gutters of the road.

Resident Dr Vanda Zajko took pictures showing both the party and the aftermath.

She said: "There were crowds of approx 200 young people outside my house last night until about 3am.

"A non-local set up a sound system in Brook Lane and said it was for friends and family and the police saw this happening and let him do it.

"I talked to him and he was completely dismissive of safety factors.

"Have we given up on any attempt on social distancing?"

She added: "The crowd was all under 30 and seemed non-local. It was scary at times.

"The street is filthy this morning and no clean up scheduled. Why didn't the police shut this down before it even got started?

"It just makes a mockery of most people's attempt to protect themselves and others for the last three months."

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said: "At around 9pm last night we received a report of loud music and a gathering of people on Brook Lane.

"Officers attended and spoke with those in attendance who agreed to turn the music off.

"We subsequently received a further call of anti-social behaviour on Brook Lane at 1.30am following which officers dispersed the gathering."