More than 40 people are facing fines of £800 after being caught at an illegal rave in the vault of a disused bank, police said.
The Metropolitan Police said officers heard loud music while on patrol in Hortus Road in Southall, west London, just before 9am last Sunday.
They identified the source of the music as a derelict building, and discovered people had made their way into the premises through a gap in a fence, with DJ equipment and speakers having been set up inside.
The officers then entered the venue and reported all 44 people inside for consideration of a fixed penalty notice of £800 before removing them from the premises.
“It is disappointing some selfish people still insist on breaking Covid regulations,” said Detective Chief Inspector Thomas Bowen, from the Met’s West Area Command Unit, which covers the area.
“We are all excited about the prospect of returning to normal in June – and some changes to restrictions are imminent – but behaviour like this risks undermining the road map out of lockdown and could potentially cause further delays by creating a breeding ground for the virus.
“We will continue to do our part in shutting illegal events like this down and taking action where necessary.”
