Police in Middlesbrough have had to break up a barbecue and bingo party involving 20 to 25 people, reminding others that the UK Government's lockdown rules have not been relaxed in any way.
At around 3pm on Monday 4 May, several police units attended the scene at the junction of Marshall Avenue and Millbrook Avenue, Brambles Farm, where people had come together for a large street party.
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Cleveland Police confirmed that around 20-25 people had been in the street having a party.
Two men, both aged 20, were arrested on suspicion of public order offences and a number of people were issued with warnings for breaching Covid-19 regulations.
Video footage shows a significant number of people out in the street, which was also packed with cars and emergency response vehicles.
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Due to ongoing coronavirus regulations, officers instructed everyone who wasn't involved in the incident to return home.
One neighbour said large gatherings and parties - including barbecues and games of bingo - were being thrown as locals tried to enjoy the return of the warm weather in Teesside.
The news comes after Middlesbrough Council confirmed the TS3 postcode, which includes the Brambles Farm area, had an especially high mortality rate for coronavirus-related deaths.
The area has been so badly hit that the nearby Lidl supermarket and Thorntree Job Centre have both had to close amid concerns over the virus.
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Cleveland Police have since reminded people that the Government's lockdown regulations have not been eased, and that everyone still needs to abide by the official measures in order to keep others safe.
Chief Superintendent Thom McLoughlin, head of local policing at Cleveland Police, said: "The force has not relaxed the Government lockdown rules and we continue to patrol our four districts to ensure people are complying with the regulations.
"Let me be clear, we understand that this is a difficult time, but we must do what we can to protect loved ones and key workers who are risking their lives to save others.
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"Where appropriate, we will not hesitate to take enforcement action in order to protect people within our communities and we have dedicated patrols on duty 24 hours a day to ensure that these regulations are complied with."
Featured Image Credit: Evening GazetteTopics: UK News, lockdown, News, Coronavirus