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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Neil Murphy

Crowds shun social distancing in packed tent at sold-out dance music festival

Dozens of young people ignored social distancing as they packed into a tent at a music festival in Hertfordshire.

The one-day La Fiesta event took place at Colesdale Farm, near Potters Bar, on Sunday.

Organisers of the event, which was sold out, promised socially-distanced queues and cleaning stations ahead of the festival, which was legally organised.

Revellers were told that groups "should be limited to a group of no more than two households of up to six people from different households".

Attendees were also asked to dance in "pods" of their own friends and family during the event.

But pictures and video appear to show dozens of revellers flouting the social distancing rules as they packed tightly into tents and danced just inches away from one another.

Another sold-out event is due to take place at the farm on Sunday, reports the Sun.

La Fiesta has been contacted for comment by Mirror Online.

Government's guidelines on social distancing say people should maintain two metres distance from others unless they share the same household.

Jim McManus, director of public health at Hertfordshire County Council, said: "The public health team – alongside police, fire, Welwyn Hatfield Borough council and the environmental health team – have been working closely with the organisers."

A separate in Huddersfield on the same day saw police pelted with missiles as they tried to disperse an illegal rave - while 70 large gatherings were reported in Birmingham.

Around 300 revellers turned "hostile" when officers descended on the banned event in Deighton, Huddersfield, with "missiles" flung at police.

West Yorkshire Police turned off the music and told people to go home, but came under attack in the tense scenes.

They seized the ravers' equipment and forced everyone who had attended to leave the area, Yorkshire Live reports.

In a statement, the force said: "On Saturday evening, officers deployed to an illegal rave that was taking place In Deighton, Huddersfield.

"When officers arrived there were around 300 persons present many of whom were hostile and missiles were thrown at officers.

"The music was quickly turned off with the equipment seized and the attendees were dispersed from the area.

"No officers were injured and they were met with applause from residents in the area."

Elsewhere, a man was Tasered by police called to a large event in Bolton, Greater Manchester, on Saturday.

Illegal rave organisers could be slapped with a fine of up to £10,000 in England.

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