Police are set to impose a tougher crackdown on partygoers after fining 87 people in a week for holding illegal house parties.
Bosses at Greater Manchester Police said they are seeing an increase in reports of house parties and Covid-19 breaches across the region.
Last weekend, they received the highest number of reports of breaches since the middle of August - apart from on New Year's Eve.
190 fixed penalty notices were issued last week and 87 of these related to house parties.
That means 46 per cent of fines handed out were just for house parties.
This is a 16 per cent increase on the same period last month when restrictions were not as tough.
The force said the number of people going to house parties is also increasing, with an average of 15 or more attending.
Bosses said these breaches are 'not acceptable' and that they will now not only fine the homeowners holding the parties, but also those attending.
"If you intend to host a house party please know that we continue to work with our partners to take action against those premises that repeatedly break the rules", a GMP spokesperson said in a statement.
"Our partners have issued closure orders and civil injunctions against individuals across Greater Manchester to stop this reckless activity.
"There is a new variant of COVID that spreads more rapidly and it's vital we all do everything we can to stop the spread.
"The vaccines are being rolled out so the process of protecting everyone has started and a way back to a new sense of normality is in the pipeline
"Hold off until we receive the all-clear from the Government and let's work together to keep Greater Manchester safe."
Councillor Nigel Murphy, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “It is extremely frustrating that despite every warning we are still seeing people break rules. I appreciate how difficult it has been for everyone over the past year but this is not an excuse to put people’s lives at risk.
“We are working with our colleagues at Greater Manchester Police as well as local housing providers to prevent, and if necessary, punish breaches of Covid-19 guidelines.
"We have the power to close properties for up to six months and prevent people from entering; this is something we have done before and will not hesitate to do again.
“The Covid vaccine is being rolled out in greater numbers by the day, a sign that one day we will soon be back to living normal lives.
"But, we are still faced with extremely high rates of Covid infection and sadly, further deaths. I implore people to do the right thing by staying at home, and not put themselves at risk of catching this virus.”
The Home Secretary announced yesterday that police will have the power to hand out £800 fines to people who attend or organise house parties from next week.
Priti Patel said anyone attending an illegal gathering of more than 15 people would be at risk of receiving a fine, up to a maximum amount of £6,400 for repeat offences.
