Police have slapped a woman with a £10,000 fine after she organised a party of more than 100 people during lockdown.

Hertfordshire Constabulary shut down the party on Wednesday evening (January 13) after officers were called to reports of a large number of vehicles parked near a property in Blanche Lane, South Mimms, around 8pm.

Inside the property were around 150 people, along with music equipment such as amplifiers and a DJ set which was seized.

A van in the area was also searched and inside, police found a large quantity of alcohol.

Watford Observer: Music equipment was found at the event in South Mimms. Credit: Hertfordshire ConstabularyMusic equipment was found at the event in South Mimms. Credit: Hertfordshire Constabulary

A Section 35 dispersal order was authorised giving police powers to clear the area.

A 22-year-old woman from London was found to be the organiser of the event and has been handed a £10,000 fine for breaching coronavirus restrictions.

A total of 12 other people who were at the party have been handed £200 fixed penalty notices.

The investigation is still on going and it is likely that further fixed penalty notices will be issued, police said.

Chief Superintendent Richard Liversidge, who leads the Local Policing Command, said: “This has been an incredibly fast-moving investigation, with a £10,000 fixed penalty notice now issued to the organiser plus multiple fixed penalty notices issued to attendees, with hopefully more to come. Our officers responded to the reports within minutes, and were straight on the scene. We hope the enforcement action we have taken so far shows that these coronavirus breaches will absolutely not be tolerated in Hertfordshire.

“Thanks to vigilant local residents, who reported the large number of cars parked nearby, we were able to shut down the event before it had got into full swing – there were around 150 people in attendance when we got there, but we actually believe that the organisers were expecting at least 300 people to turn up.

"The key to stopping these kinds of events in their tracks is early intelligence so please report via 101 if you have reason to believe one is taking place or being planned.

“Finally, I would like to directly appeal to anyone who is planning on organising or attending an event of this nature. Please know that by breaching the current restrictions, you are disregarding all the sacrifices people have made in our national fight to stop the spread of coronavirus.

"The majority of people are playing their part, observing the rules, and doing what is necessary to help protect the NHS and save lives. Do not be the person that is making all their hard work redundant. Please do the right thing.”

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