Dramatic footage released Monday shows officers shouting “police” before forcing their way into the illegal rave, located near the city’s Jewelery Quarter, in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The commotion is audible from a crowd as they become aware that their party has been ended rather abruptly. Police were pelted with bottles and one officer suffered a minor injury, according to police.
Thermal imaging from a police drone showed revelers trying to escape the venue from the rooftop.
England is in its third national lockdown, with people instructed to stay home and mixing between households banned.
The illegal party had a bar, neon signs and a dance room, and officers even came across a recording studio and gym in the building, police said.
Around 70 people were issued with £200 ($278) fines, according to West Midlands Police.
Assistant Chief Constable Chris Todd called the attacks on officers “unacceptable” and praised the crack down.
“Our officers continue to work long and hard to protect the public and reduce the spread of this deadly virus by breaking up these gatherings, often in really difficult circumstances,” he said.
“While there’s much to be hopeful of in terms of the roll out of coronavirus vaccines, people must remember that we are still in lockdown and the virus is still a real threat to communities across the West Midlands.”
In a separate incident on Saturday night, police also discovered a garage workshop in Dudley Port had been converted into a bar — called “The Covid Arms.”
https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/16/uk/illegal-nightclub-crack-down-scli-intl-gbr/index.html
CNN – CNN INTERNATIONAL
