PARK STRIFE
Cops break up city centre rave as parks shut and beer confiscated on third night of boozy mayhem after Covid rules eased
COPS broke up a city centre rave tonight as revellers continued to cause mayhem for a third night.
Police have shut parks and confiscated booze after thousands of Brits flocked to parks and beaches today to enjoy another day of record-breaking March heat after after lockdown rules were eased on Monday.
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Cops were called to Manchester city centre tonight after hundreds of revellers gathered for a live DJ set.
Officers were pictured arriving to disperse crowds of people drinking and dancing in Castlefield Bowl with a large set up with speakers.
"We've been sent videos of the DJ set," Joan Davies, Labour councillor for Deansgate, told .
"How much equipment is there I don't know. The numbers were escalating.
"We want everybody to enjoy themselves but this is beyond a level which is tolerable.
"I think the police have a very, very difficult task, they've got to find that balance."
Hundreds of young people also gathered at the Forest Recreation Ground in Nottingham this evening with booze - despite cops saying it would be confiscated.
Police and crime commissioner Paddy Tipping said cops would be seizing alcohol from sunseekers and officers were seen pouring bottles of beer onto the grass at the park tonight.
He said: "Police think that if they can get on top of control over alcohol confiscation, and make the people holding it pour it away, then it will lead to better behaviour."
It comes after sunseekers were banned from city parks in Nottingham earlier this week after boozed-up students caused chaos.
Entrances at Lenton Recreation Ground and the Arboretum have been locked after huge crowds gathered to drink beers and dance on Monday night after lockdown was eased.
Boozy students started a fight in the sweltering 24C heat in the Arboretum and left litter strewn across the popular beauty spot.
Revellers could then be seen spraying bottles of alcohol in the air - chanting and clapping as many joined in and danced in the centre of the madness.
Pals hugged and cheered in the sunshine on the first day of England's step out of lockdown - but seemingly failed to stick to the new Rule of Six.
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Others were seen climbing trees in the Nottingham park, egged on by their groups of mates below.
And after a day of drinking, some of the revellers were seen weeing in bushes while others spewed empty cans, bottles and boxes on the grass.
Nottingham City Council said both the Arboretum and Lentos Recreation Ground would be closed following the chaotic scenes.
The council said in a statement: "We have taken steps to prevent a repeat of the appalling scenes we witnessed at the Arboretum on Monday evening.
"We regret having to take this action, since everyone has been looking forward to the chance to visit our parks, now that easing of restrictions means we can meet up to six other people outdoors.
"Sadly, the actions of a thoughtless minority has spoilt that."
Seafronts, parks and promenades were also packed in Brighton, Leeds, Sheffield, Birmingham and London.
Cops in London swarmed Primrose Hill after spotting two men urinating in a bush in the park.
Pictures show five officers pulling a man off the ground and taking him away as other park-goers look on.
And revellers continued to descend on Hyde Park in Leeds for a third day to enjoy the warm weather, with groups of young people drinking and dancing with pals on Wednesday evening.
Experts have warned of a spike in infections after cooped-up sunseekers flocked outdoors to mark the hottest March day in more than half a century yesterday.
It comes after England's parks and beaches were strewn with litter this morning after celebrating the hottest March day in 50 years.
Disgusting scenes showed plastic bottles, cans, plastic bags and BBQs left in parks and green spaces across the nation after record numbers of people came out to take advantage of the good weather.
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As of Monday, six people, or two full households, are allowed to meet outside - including in back gardens.
This is the first time in four months that groups of that size are legally allowed to meet up.
And the Government's "stay at home" rule has now been replaced with "stay local."
The Rule of Six has returned to let Brits meet up with six mates outside while outdoor sports are back on.
And Brits can even go inside other homes - but only briefly to use the toilet, get a drink or walk through to the garden. The same rule will apply to toilets when pub gardens reopen in April.
But cops have said the two household mixing loophole means the Rule of Six is impossible to police.
Cops have said it's no longer as simple as counting six people and fining larger groups.
This is because the rule also states that a group of "any size from up to two households" which includes "an existing support bubble, if eligible," can meet.
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A police source told the : "Now you could have 26 people in a group, 13 from each household. That makes it very, very difficult.
"How do you prove that they don't live in the same house?"
Despite the lockdown easing, there are still rules in place - people must socially distance from each other, and meeting indoors is still banned.
Holidays are still banned, and anyone caught trying to leave the country for a non-essential reason faces a fine.
Outdoor sports facilities including golf courses, tennis and basketball courts and swimming pools can all open from March 29, although the Rule of Six still applies.
However, there's a loophole for this too - if the sport has been formally organised by a qualified instructor, club, company or charity, the gatherings limits don't apply.
Places of worship have remained open during the latest lockdown, but restrictions remain in place for Easter services.
Limits include that people "must not mingle with anyone outside of your household or support bubble".
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Rules around funerals, which are allowed with 30 attendees and wakes with six attendees, also remain the same.
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And there's good news for people hoping to get married. Weddings will no longer be limited to exceptional circumstances.
This means anyone wishing to tie the knot can do so with up to six attendees.
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Millions of Brits enjoy their first taste of freedom as three-month lockdown eases
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