WATCH - Thousands defy lockdown to attend raves in northern England
Thousands of people defied coronavirus restrictions to attend two illegal raves in Manchester in northern England, where one man died from a suspected drug overdose, police said on Sunday.
Around 4,000 people gathered for one of the Saturday night events where a 20-year-old man died of the suspected overdose, according to Greater Manchester Police.
Another 2,000 turned out for a second party which saw three separate stabbings, including one which left an 18-year-old man with life-threatening injuries, the force said.
Officers responding to that rave were met with violence from revellers, with items thrown at them and a police car vandalised, it added.
"These raves were illegal and I condemn them taking place -- they were clearly a breach of coronavirus legislation and guidelines, and have had tragic consequences," said assistant chief constable Chris Sykes.
"Coronavirus is still a threat and we will continue to engage with people to encourage them to take some personal responsibility and do the right thing."
Britain introduced a nationwide lockdown in late March to try to stem the transmission of the virus, as the country became one of the worst impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The government has registered nearly 42,000 deaths of those who had tested positive for the disease.
The stringent stay-at-home order has only been gradually eased since late March, with gatherings of up to six people permitted outside, in parks or in private gardens, in England.
You know when you think you’ve seen it all in 2020, the people of England once again prove you wrong.
— Ben Ramsdale (@benaramsdale) June 14, 2020
Huge illegal “rave” last night in Oldham right in the middle of a global pandemic.
No, seriously.#coronavirus
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