Thousands of careless partygoers are expected to ignore the threat of coronavirus by seeing in the New Year at illegal parties being held in London.
Organisers have shrugged off the threat of a £10,000 fine to throw unlicensed music events where revellers will party shoulder to shoulder.
Police have broken up one such event tonight at a building in Chadwell Heath, east London.
Around 60 revellers had their dream of partying into 2021 shattered while the promoter was slapped with the five-figure fine.
In a tweet Barking and Dagenham police said: “We take the lives of all those within our communities seriously.
"We only intend to protect our communities & operate with Covid Tier 4 Legal Guidelines. Pls help us to help you, Stay Home, Stay Safe this NYE.”
A few hours later police also broke up a second event in nearby Barking where they found up to 100 people at an illegal rave.
The police team tweeted: "Police request anyone intent on attending or at location to leave, as will be committing covid breach & offences. Police on scene & investigating.
"Sound Equipment has been found at location and enquiries ongoing.
"Gathering has been dispersed, no further on people at scene. Unlicensed Music Event closed down."
Some shameless organisers advertised events on social media saying partygoers can dance 2020 away at a secret location.
Anyone who wants to attend must follow an Instagram account and send provide proof of ID in private messages.
Once they pass the 'vetting' process they can buy a ticket and are told where the illegal bash it.
In one of the planned parties called the Good Vibez rave the promoters have claimed it's taking place in a covered outdoor site.
The headliner for the illegal event has been named on a flyer as garage DJ Mutant with other sets promised by Mark H Nostalgic, Myro and Casper.
It is unclear if the DJs plan on performing at the event of if their names where added to the flyer to garner interest.
Another rave in London planned for tonight is the aptly-named ‘Good riddance 2020 NYE Special’ while a group known as Sunday Afters have been advertising tickets for raves costing £30 each.
While an organiser called Vox Sound has advertised on Instagram an ‘Acid in Wonderland New Years Secret Rave’.
However the promoter said in a subsequent post it said: “We are not allowed to have fun this year so we will be doing exactly just that.”
Some organisers have binned advertising their events on Instagram as police use social media to find illegal events.
The Met Police have warned people to stay at home and some forces have deployed extra officers to weed out people who are ignoring the coronavirus rules.
The news comes as a New Year's Eve party with around 30 people was reported to police in Bristol.
A fold-out table had been erected on the grass while a set of speakers blasts out Dizzee Rascal's Bonkers at the illegal event in the Tier 3 city, Bristol Live reported.
At least one reveller went all out in a fancy dress outfit.
Officers were called to the event, but by the time they arrived the party had dispersed.
An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said: "We were called about a group at 2:45pm.
"There was around 30 people there.
"Officers went down there, but they couldn't see anyone."
The force has urged everyone to 'act selflessly' tonight.
They tweeted: "We're urging everyone to be sensible and follow the Covid-19 restrictions.
"The overwhelming majority of people are and we want people to continue to act selflessly tonight."
As of this morning a total of 44 million people, or 78% of the population of England, were living under the country's toughest restrictions as the whole of the UK battles a winter surge.
Only the Isles of Scilly is in Tier 1, with no areas in Tier 2, so bars and pubs across the land will have to be closed to customers.
The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) said the New Year shutdown of pubs and venues will lead to 5,000 illegal parties and raves across the country.
The organisation is blaming the lack of options for people to mark the end of 2020 which steers them to mix indoors illegally.
NTIA Chief executive Michael Kill said: “There is a growing concern from the Industry that the Government has underestimated the impact of restrictions on New Years Eve, which will see a substantial number of illegal parties and mass gatherings, culminating in social unrest.”
