PSNI issue £11,000 of Covid fines after seven parties in Holylands area of Belfast - 14 people had previously been caught

The fines were issued between 8pm yesterday evening and 4am this morning.

Chief Inspector Gavin Kirkpatrick said: “Last night and into the early hours of this morning, officers attended addresses where large numbers of young adults had gathered. We also responded to a number of reports of groups of young people, playing music loudly and drinking in the street.

“As Police officers attended a number of addresses to provide advice and guidance around potential breaches of Covid-19 health regulations, 55 Covid 4 notices were issued alongside 19 Covid 2 notices. Three people under 18 years of age received community resolution notices and one 16 year old was brought home to their parents.

“We have also begun preparing files to be forwarded to the Public Prosecution Service regarding the behaviour of 14 individuals who had previously received a Covid 4 notice.

“We deployed significant resources yesterday into the early hours of this morning, as a result of the behaviour of some people staying in or visiting this residential area. We have now also brought forward our plans around St Patrick’s Day and will begin the operation today, increasing resources dedicated to the area.”

Police are also continuing to liaise with the Universities, Further Education colleges, Belfast City Council and other agencies around the issue.

“It is disappointing and difficult to understand how some people think the current health regulations and restrictions do not apply to them,” CI Kirkpatrick said. “It is also apparent that some parents and guardians need to take more of an interest in what their young people are doing. This is a residential area and understandably, local people are fed up having to live with this type of behaviour.

“Our message is very clear. All students or anyone visiting the Holyland area must follow the latest Covid 19 health and safety advice and specific guidance regarding houses of multiple occupancy provided by the universities.”

He warned that police will continue to repond to every report of Covid breaches.

“That can mean issuing a penalty notice, a community restorative notice, ultimately through to arrest. In the case of the behaviour of some students, we will also make referrals to their educational establishment, and this could have a significant impact on their educational career.”

A Community Resolution Notice is a warning which does not carry any monetary fine.

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