Police were called to at least 40 illegal house parties last night, including one in Stockport where an officer was left with a broken jaw.
Bosses at Greater Manchester Police said they are dealing with around 2000 extra calls a week about people failing to follow the coronavirus lockdown regulations.
Officers responded to at least 40 reports of people holding parties and breaching COVID rules last night (Thursday, August 21).
At one large house party in Stockport, a female punched an officer in the face leaving him with a suspected broken jaw.
Police also had to deal with family members at one illegal house party.
Assistant Chief Constable Nick Bailey told BBC Radio Manchester that having to respond to COVID breaches is placing 'a huge demand' on resources for the force.
Current social distancing restrictions in place for the region ban people from different households mixing in homes or gardens.
But ACC Bailey said people are 'frustrated' with the rules, leading to them flouting the restrictions.
When asked about anti-social behaviour rising in Ancoats and whether dispersal orders should be issued more often, he said officers are taking enforcement action where they can.
But he said that it's currently 'a struggle' for the force.
"Where we stand currently, this is placing a huge demand for policing resource on us", ACC Bailey said.
"Unlike when we had the full lockdown, we have normal calls now as well as probably the 2000 extra calls a week in relation to the breaches since the new restrictions came in.
"Thankfully, most of the time people are compliant, they accept it, they maybe take the advice and guidance.
"But we are seeing some extreme cases where the nature of the gatherings that are in breach involve alcohol, involve lots of people."
He said that last night, police were called to at least 40 house parties across the region.
"There was one large house party in Stockport where we've potentially got an officer who was assaulted by a female and had their jaw broken", he added.
"We've got family members fighting in the house when they shouldn't have even been together in the same house.
"People are frustrated and want to be with their friends and families. They're gathering together and often alcohol is involved.
"A lot of the community has returned to normal so the crime that always took place over Greater Manchester is still going on.
"We're still getting those calls so we are having to prioritise our resources daily, particularly to those who are vulnerable or who have personal crimes committed against them, as well as these calls in relation to COVID.
"It's not just young people who cause these problems, they are one group that do. But you only need to see some of the breaches in the public houses that are the older generation."
Last weekend, police recorded 863 incidents related to COVID-19. Of these, 62 related to licensed premises.
Hundreds of people were caught on Snapchat footage partying in a giant gazebo at a property in Gorton and a wedding with more than 50 guests was held in a marquee in Whalley Range.
Wilmslow Road in Rusholme, also known as the Curry Mile, has had to be shut by police twice in a week after hundreds of people gathered to celebrate Afghan Independence Day and Pakistan Independence Day.
This is despite council leaders warning the public that parties must be put on hold to prevent the region from going into full lockdown.
Coun Bev Craig, executive member for adult health and wellbeing, said: “For now, the party is on hold.
“We’ve all had to give up things we enjoy, things we love and things that make us happy.
“We still need to keep up with a lot of that sacrifice over the next few months to keep our numbers down and make sure we don’t have to sacrifice them in the long run.
“We don’t want to go back into full lockdown.”
