Watch huge crowd flout Covid-19 laws with street corner party in Sparkbrook

Two police officers can be seen trying to break up the gathering under the current lockdown laws in shocking footage

This is the disgraceful moment a huge crowd breached the Covid-19 lockdown to gather for a street party in the city.

Dozens of revellers were caught on camera as they congregated on the corner of Highgate Street in Sparkbrook on Saturday night, May 23.

Despite the social distancing measures still being firmly in place, a large number of men gathered outside a kitchen and bathroom store at the junction of Mole Street. Watch the video above to see how the law was being flouted.

Some can be seen filming the party on their mobile phones, while two police officers appear to be trying to disperse the group.

Community group, Bearded Bros, shared the clip to their page and wrote: "What a joke this is Birmingham right now, the police having a hard time controlling these lot out here.

"The lockdown and social distancing is for your own safety wake up."

It came just 24 hours after West Midlands Police Chief Constable Dave Thompson warned of large gatherings on street corners and urged the public to use 'common sense' over the Bank Holiday weekend.

He said though the majority of people have been following the lockdown rules in Birmingham, some 'young people' were still struggling to stick to the guidelines.

While the newly relaxed lockdown measures - which permit unlimited outdoor exercise - are more complex, the police chief said it is 'obvious' when a group is not from the same household.

A total of 49 more people died in Midlands hospitals as a further 147 deaths were recorded across the country in the latest daily toll on Sunday, May 24.

What West Midlands Police said

In relation to the gathering in Sparkbrook, West Midlands Police said its officers were continuing to engage with enforcement as a last resort.

The force outlined its approach to the distancing guidelines below:

If a person, gathering, or business is found in breach of the restrictions, the force will:

• talk to them and help them understand the new restrictions
• explain the new guidance and ask them to comply as soon as possible
• make it clear that we are dealing with a national health emergency and they must obey
• reinforce the importance of complying so that their actions and behaviours do not harm others
• remind them that the measures are here to protect our NHS, our country and in particular the vulnerable

As a last resort, failure to comply will mean officers will use their powers. Police have the power to:

• disperse gatherings of three or more people who aren’t from the same household
• remove a person from a gathering to their home
• close any premises which are required to be closed under the legislation
• issue a fixed penalty notice of £100
• issue a fixed penalty notice of £200 for second time offenders, doubling on each further repeat offence up to £3,200
• If someone does not pay their fixed penalty notice, they could go to court, where magistrates can impose an unlimited fine.

If someone refuses to comply, they will be acting unlawfully, and police may arrest them where deemed necessary and proportionate in the circumstances.