Police will have the power to hand out £800 fines to people who attend or organise house parties from next week, the home secretary has announced.
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.
Speaking at a coronavirus press conference from Downing Street this afternoon, she said: "Next week we will be introducing a new £800 fine for those attending house parties, which will double for each repeat offence up to a maximum level of £6,400.
"These fines will apply to those who attend illegal gatherings of more than 15 people in homes.
"The science is clear. Such irresponsible behaviour poses a significant risk to public health, not only to those in attendance but also to our wonderful police officers who attend these events to shut them down."
Martin Hewitt, chairman of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, welcomed the new announcement.
He told the press conference: "We have repeatedly made it clear that house parties and other large gatherings should not be happening.
"They are dangerous, irresponsible and totally unacceptable.
"I hope the likelihood of an increased fine acts an as incentive for those people who are thinking of attending or organising such events."
He added that police would be working closely with the government to implement the new regulations.
Mr Hewitt said 250 fines of £10,000 had been issued across England to organisers of large gatherings since regulations were introduced in August.
"I make no apology for those fines," he said.
"Now anyone who attends one of these gatherings can expect to receive a £800 fine," he added.
Mr Hewitt outlined a number of cases police had had to deal with in recent weeks including a party in Hertfordshire with 150 people in attendance and a site set up for a large party complete with a dance floor in Leighton Buzzard.
