Police break up raves in Hackney as hundreds of revellers turn out for illegal music events

Police scrambled to shut down illegal raves in east London last night as the easing of lockdown restrictions saw revellers party into the early hours.

Scotland Yard placed swathes of north-east London under dispersal orders as officers broke up a series of “unlicensed music events”.

Footage posted on social media showed police standing watch inside parks in Hackney, where hundreds of revellers had gathered in breach of social distancing restrictions.

Hackney police tweeted on Sunday evening that it had taken swift action to “prevent disorder”.

It wrote at around midnight: “A Section 35 Dispersal Order has been authorised for the entirety of MILLFIELDS PARK E5 by Inspector Norman due to an unlicensed music event.”

An hour later, it added: “Due to a number of unlicensed music events in the areas of Hackney Downs park and Cecilia Road a Sec 35 dispersal zone has been authorised.”

This covered three different postcodes and remains in force until 11am on Monday.

The shutdown came after a major easing of lockdown restrictions saw England’s pubs, bars and restaurants reopen on what was dubbed “Super Saturday”.

Despite many pubs across the country’ reporting Covid-secure scenes with drinkers sticking to health guidance, the Police Federation issued a stark assessment of the situation: “The message is clear - alcohol and social distancing does not mix.”

However, the federation’s chair John Apter took a more measured view. He tweeted: “Hearing more and more from my colleagues about policing the first day of easing of lockdown across England.

“Officers have done a great job in difficult times.

“Yes it’s been manically busy in places, alcohol and social distancing don’t mix but it wasn’t the carnage some predicted.”

This page is being updated.