Coronavirus: Police coughed on and spat at after breaking up lockdown party
Written by News on 10/05/2020
Seven people have been arrested after police were coughed on and spat at as they attempted to disperse a large group at a birthday party during strict lockdown measures.
Officers were called to reports of fighting outside a house in Bolton on Saturday night.
Around 40 people – including children – were at the party on Wemsley Grove, Tonge Moor.
Police said they encouraged the group to leave, but they refused and became hostile and began to deliberately cough and spit at them.
Seven people – aged between 23 and 48 – were detained on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly and were later issued fixed penalties for breaching COVID-19 regulations.
A further individual was not arrested, but was given a fixed penalty at the scene.
Assistant Chief Constable Robert Potts said: “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.
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“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.
“Following this incident yesterday, the Bolton Neighbourhood Team will be out providing reassurance to residents in the area, so please feel free to speak to them if you have any questions or concerns.”
(c) Sky News 2020: Coronavirus: Police coughed on and spat at after breaking up lockdown party
