London police hand out £66,000 in fines for illegal parties in Mayfair

70 people fined for attending gatherings in the upmarket area

England is currently under a strict lockdown and people are only allowed to leave their homes for a limited set of reasons. AFP

London police handed out £66,000 ($91,904) in fines early on Sunday morning, after breaking up two illegal parties in the capital's upmarket Mayfair area.

About 70 people were penalised for attending the gatherings, which broke Covid-19 rules.

Some 50 people were each handed £800 fixed penalty notices for attending a party in Green Street, while the organiser received a £10,000 penalty.

Police broke up another gathering at a flat in Brook's Mews and fined 20 people £800 each.

Officers said they were still trying to identify the organiser of the party.

“Despite recent announcements about how and when Covid restrictions may be eased, nothing has changed in terms of the regulations,” said Ins Kevin Fagan of the Metropolitan Police, London's police force.

“Illegal gatherings like this are irresponsible and put pressure on the emergency services who have to deal with the consequences of these people’s selfish actions.

“The rules are clear, as should be the message that the police will enforce them where wilful breaches are found to have taken place,” he said.

Britain is currently under a strict lockdown and people are only allowed to leave their homes for a limited set of reasons.