Police shut down Lewisham party and slap organiser with possible £10,000 fine

The organiser of a flat party in Grove Park, Lewisham has been reported for a possible £10,000 fine for breaching coronavirus regulations, after pretending she had not invited her guests – and then giving false names for them.

Police were called to a flat in Grove Park on Thursday, November 5 at about 3am and did a search of the area.

Police witnessed about 30 people outside the block of flats in Ballamore Road. When partygoers were asked what was happening, they claimed not to know.

Officers tried to enter the flat where 20 people were leaving. No one would inform officers what was happening.

Officers were shut out of the property and, after a number of attempts to talk to the people inside, they found the organiser and told people to leave because they were breaching coronavirus regulations. Approximately another 20 people then left the property.

The resident of the flat denied inviting anyone. When she was asked to prove identification, she gave various names.

The 43-year-old woman was then arrested on suspicion of breaching the Health Protection (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 and possession of a Class B drug. She has been released under investigation while enquiries continue for these offences. She has also been reported for consideration for receiving a £10,000 fine for breaching the Coronavirus regulations.

Sergeant David Walmsley, of the South East Basic Command Unit (BCU), said: “Large gatherings in your own home are still unlawful and will not be tolerated. Officers will continue to enforce the Coronavirus regulations where necessary to help keep people safe.

“This was a totally egregious breach of the rules which meant officers had no choice but to issue a large fine. Events such as this are dangerous, there can be no excuse for this sort of reckless behaviour.

“We are still in national lockdown and the public should continue to abide by the regulations which have been put in place to save lives.”