In the United Kingdom, a police thermal-imaging drone reveals more than 300 illegal ravers, flouting COVID-19 restrictions in Birmingham.

Police thermal-imaging drone reveals more than 300 illegal ravers in Birmingham, UK

Thermal images from a police drone show more than 300 revelers, flouting COVID-19 restrictions by organizing raves for the second weekend in a row in Birmingham.

The illegal rave parties are taking place as the number of coronavirus cases in Birmingham has gone up from 13.8 to 28.1 per 100,000 people.

On Friday night the West Midlands Police busted a massive DJ-led rave party, according to the Daily Mail. The thermal images taken by police drones show large groups of people partying hard into the early hours of Saturday.

At another illegal street party in Manchester, the police were targeted with missiles as they were trying to break up the event.

Superintendent Jack Hadley showed drone photos and videos of the rave which he said left a ‘huge amount of rubbish’. On Twitter, he said:

“Op. Reliant officers have attended more than 80 incidents of large gatherings and unlicensed music events where people are flaunting COVID regulations and causing significant disruption to the communities around them. Such selfish behaviors will not be tolerated.”

“Our @WMPolice drone is gathering evidence to allow us to prosecute the organizer of this illegal music event. This type of behaviour is dangerous and will not be tolerated! Officers are disrupting yet another ‘block party’ in Birmingham, 200 people crammed into communal area with sound systems. A huge amount of rubbish has been left at this illegal music event in Hampton Street.”

“Complete and utter disregard for other people who may need to use this car park tomorrow!”

The rave followed one week after police had busted 125 separate parties that took place across the city. According to the Greater Manchester Police, officers were forced to call for significant back-up as they dealt with breaking up large gatherings.

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