Coronavirus: Police called to wedding receptions with up to 100 guests despite local lockdowns

Police have been called to wedding receptions in both Greater Manchester and Blackburn, despite local lockdowns there struggling to contain outbreaks of coronavirus.

Lancashire Police said they found about 120 people at a wedding venue in Blackburn celebrating on Sunday.

In a statement on Facebook, the force’s Blackburn branch said they were “disappointed” by the wedding reception.

“Officers have attended a report of a significant breach of Covid restrictions, and found over 100 guests at a wedding reception.

“This is a clear breach of both local and national restrictions that puts everyone attending at risk.”

Deputy Chief Constable Terry Woods said he had decided to “name and shame” businesses flouting the lockdown so everyone knows “there will be consequences”.

The illegal wedding reception was discovered at Waheed’s Buffet and Banqueting Hall on Randal Street.

“The vast bulk of those people were asked to leave, they were very compliant, but in effect that wedding reception was closed down and what remained was a small number of people,” DCC Woods added.

“Today future action is going to be considered with the local authority to see what we can do with that premises to stop it happening again.”

Blackburn with Darwen council area has been under increased restrictions since mid-July, when it became clear its cases of Covid-19 were surging.