University of Portsmouth students suspended after illegal rave

Police were forced to break up a street party of more than 50 people at Margaret Rule Halls, in Isambard Brunel Road at 12.46am yesterday and had to return two hours later to disperse revellers who had continued partying on the road.

One student has since been suspended and will face police action. A number of others are in the process of being suspended due to breaching self-isolation rules.

Videos of the party were shared across social media and on The Sun. Police have been reviewing body-worn video footage and working with the University of Portsmouth to identify those who attended.

A University of Portsmouth spokesman said: ‘Following an illegal street party in Portsmouth, a student has been suspended from the University pending a disciplinary procedure. The student will also face police action.

‘The University is also in the process of suspending a small number of students who have breached the requirements to self-isolate. These requirements are law and must be followed.

‘Such behaviour is unacceptable and any student found to have broken the laws in place will face swift disciplinary action by the University as well as any fines that may be issued by the police.’

Vice-chancellor Professor Graham Galbraith said he was ‘angry and disappointed’ about the incident.

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Inspector Marcus Kennedy from Hampshire Constabulary added: ‘It is frustrating then that we have had to deal with such a clear breach of the current restrictions. Restrictions on large gatherings have been in place for some time, so there is no excuse for this type of behaviour.

‘I would like to remind people that officers have the power to issue £10,000 fines to the organisers of large gatherings, and people attending can be fined £200 for a first offence.

‘Everyone has to do their bit to limit the spread of the virus. Our approach has always been to engage, explain and encourage people to act responsibly, but we won’t hesitate to use enforcement action where necessary.’

The university confirmed that as of October 21, 155 students and one staff member tested positive for Covid-19.

A spokeswoman said 118 people were identified through the NHS Test and Trace scheme, while 37 were tested in the institution’s asymptomatic regime.

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