Revellers have been issued with fines of £200 each after officers broke up a party at a flat in Canterbury.

The illegal gathering at the property in Adelaide Place saw about 20 people attend, and was dispersed at around 1.30am on Thursday.

This coincided with the first day of the second lockdown, which is preventing people from leaving their homes or meeting other people except for certain specific purposes.

Officers issued £200 fixed penalty notices to two men and two women who were all in their early 20s and organised the party.

Assistant Chief Constable Claire Nix said: "Hosting large gatherings in the middle of a pandemic, especially on the first day of a new national lockdown, is completely unacceptable and we do not hesitate to take action against those who display such blatant disregard for the coronavirus regulations.

"People who organise and attend such events are not only putting their own health at risk, but also their family members and anyone else they may come into contact with in the days that follow.

"This may include people who are particularly vulnerable to Covid-19 including those who are elderly or already suffering from other serious health conditions.

"Thankfully the vast majority of people in Kent are doing the right thing and adhering to the government’s restrictions, and it is essential that we all continue to do everything we can to protect the NHS and save lives."

Police in the city have been busy ensuring people are following the rules in recent weeks after parties were broken up.

Five men are facing fines of up to £10,000 following a party at a house in South Street when about 80 people were reported illegally attending on Halloween.

Students were also fined when officers on patrol came across a rowdy party in Ulcombe Gardens in the Hales Place area of the city – the first people to face the fines in Kent.

A DJ booth and about 30 partygoers were found inside the house when officers were called on October 23.

Police decide the fining powers based on party size.

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