Police slap 25 University of Portsmouth students with £200 fines after 'loud' 3am party - with revellers now facing the boot
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The University of Portsmouth students at Catherine House have now been warned they face being given the boot after their ‘irresponsible behaviour’ which ‘broke the law’ amid coronavirus lockdown rules.
Police attended the student block on Stanhope Road at 2:50am on Friday after loud music was heard coming from a room where they discovered ‘many men and women aged in their late teens’.
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Hide Ad‘Upon further inspection it appeared a party was taking place in contravention of the current health regulations,’ a police statement said.
‘Officers attended and reported for summons those who had attended. They will now face £200 fixed penalty notices.’
Inspector Marcus Kennedy from Portsmouth’s Neighbourhood Policing Team said: ‘It’s disappointing to hear about a students party taking place, however the vast majority of students in the city have observed the current national restrictions. I’d like to thank them and the university for their hard work to limit the spread of the virus during the pandemic.
‘While our approach to engage, explain, and encourage people to follow the Health Protection Regulations continues, it was obvious that enforcement was required in these circumstances.
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Hide Ad‘The people attending this party were putting themselves and their loved ones at risk from the virus. It’s actions like this that place increased and unnecessary pressure on the NHS.
‘Anyone who does not follow the regulations faces a fixed penalty notice. The minimum fine relating to parties of 15 people or more is due to increase to £800 following an announcement by the government.’
Professor Graham Galbraith, vice-chancellor of the university, said: ‘I am incredibly disappointed by this behaviour by our students. It is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated. These students who have broken the law, and put themselves and others in danger, must now face the consequences of their irresponsible actions.
‘Their actions undermine the positive actions of the majority of students who are, for their own and others' health and safety, abiding by the very clear rules. In addition to fines issued by the police, they now face the prospect of permanent exclusion from the university.’