Group hid from police in small bathroom as officers broke up student Holyland parties for flouting Covid rules

Ten “community resolution notices” were handed out (spelling a £60 fine per person) as the PSNI patrolled the area amid reports of house parties in the district, which is home to huge numbers of university students (as well as migrants and some long-time residents).

The police said the fines were issued in the early hours of this morning.

The district is in south Belfast, between the commercial Botanic area and the nationalist-dominated lower Ormeau Road.

Just 24 hours earlier in the district, the PSNI arrested five people as they investigated potential pandemic restriction breaches, and anti-social behaviour.

In a statement, Chief Inspector Gavin Kirkpatrick said today: “Some young people who have moved to the area to pursue their studies, and others visiting the area are not listening to our repeated warnings.

“Alongside the universities and colleges, we have issued multiple appeals for young people to follow the latest health and safety advice and highlighted the importance of being good neighbours.

“Last night, we gave advice and guidance at a number of residential properties. However, 18 of those people we spoke with failed to understand the seriousness of the situation.

“At one address, we discovered a group of people hiding in a small bathroom.

“Some received community resolution notices, while the behaviour of others resulted in fixed penalty notices.

“This follows a series of arrests for a range of offences in t

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Editorhe area over recent days.

“Where appropriate, we now will liaise with the universities and colleges who will consider their own sanctions against any students involved.

“Our message is very clear; All students must follow the health and safety advice and specific guidance regarding houses of multiple occupancy provided by the universities: Only six people, from a maximum of two different households, can gather indoors in a private dwelling.

“Students living off campus must also be mindful of the importance of building good relationships with local residents. They must be respectful of their neighbours who do not want to kept awake all night with parties and do not want to have their property damaged.

“Unfortunately residents have been through it all before. What might seem like fun at the time, can often cause others a great deal of upset and distress.

“We continue to work with the universities, further education colleges, our partner agencies, local resident and community representatives to address any antisocial or criminal behaviour in the area.

“We have dedicated substantial resources to policing this area throughout the coming weeks and will robustly address any antisocial behaviour and criminal offences.”