Invernessian among 29 people fined for flouting Covid-19 rules after travelling to Blackburn for an illegal wedding bash in a furniture factory; fellow guests travelled from London, Birmingham and Manchester, in what Blackburn and Darwen Police called a 'really significant breach' of England's coronavirus lockdown
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POLICE have slammed "blatant disregard" for Covid-19 restrictions after an Invernessian was among guests who travelled from all corners of the UK to attend an illegal wedding party in Lancashire.
Describing the wedding celebration as a "really significant breach" which "shocked" officers and "felt like a slap in the face" to those obeying the rules, Blackburn and Darwen Police said no fewer than 29 people were handed £200 fines – that's despite England being in a full lockdown and strict limits on group sizes. The Scottish Government has also advised people not to travel to and from England during their lockdown, unless for essential reasons.
The wedding bash was discovered after officers were called "to reports of music and a large group at a furniture factory" in the Mill Hill area of Blackburn. Guests then tried to dodge police before finally being rounded up and issued with the fixed penalty notices.
"Officers... were shocked to discover what was essentially a wedding function taking place within the factory," said officers on the Blackburn and Darwen Police Facebook page.
"There was lighting, glittery backdrops, a dance floor and even a buffet with approximately 25 “guests” present.
"The group have then tried to disperse around the factory and have effectively engaged in a game of hide and seek with our patrols.
"The group were eventually rounded up we issued 29 £200 fixed penalty tickets for breaching Coronavirus Regulations and are currently speaking with the local authority to look at taking action against the organiser of the wedding.
"Of most concern is that some these individuals had travelled from as far afield as London, Birmingham, Manchester and even Inverness! The blatant disregard for the rules is a slap in the face to those of us who are doing our very best in this current situation."
