LOCKDOWN RAID
Cops caught in terrifying Covid stampede as they fine students £34,000 in raid on lockdown party
COPS were caught in a terrifying stampede as they fined 30 students more than £34,000 after discovering an illegal party during lockdown.
Over 150 people were found inside a flat in Ranmoor Student Village, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, in the early hours of Thursday.
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The party host has been hit with a £10,000 penalty, with over 30 people handed an £800 fine - which, under coronavirus restrictions, is the minimum penalty for gatherings of more than 15 people.
Body camera footage shows police approaching the building as a group of people tries to flee to avoid being identified.
The clip shows music blaring, glasses clinking and partygoers chanting at the top of their voices as cops race to surround the building.
Officers arrive at the main entrance just as a crowd of girls and boys attempt to leave and are ordered: "Get back in. Get back in."
The scene descends into chaos as partygoers and police clash head on.
'GET BACK IN'
As the officers enter the building to stop the first group, more students emerge from a stair exit into the lobby.
A terrified officer yells: "Anyone touches me from now on is getting locked up."
One student protests: "I am just trying to get through guv."
An officer yells "whoa, whoa" as another fire exit door opens and more students pile into the lobby.
As the students continue to try and push through the cordon, police plead for calm.
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Cops had to call for backup when an officer was injured during the raid.
Most students fled the scene but now face being booted out of university as the footage is looked into.
The halls - occupied by students from the University of Sheffield - previously had the third-highest number of new coronavirus cases.
Officers arrived at the halls of residence within ten minutes of the incident being reported by university security at 1.13am.
Sheffield City Centre Inspector Ali Bywater said: "At a time when the vast majority are working so hard and making huge sacrifices to adhere to the rules, it is absolutely appalling to see people show such blatant disregard for not just their own safety, but the safety of others.
"The actions of all those present were incredibly selfish and the fact that so many went to great lengths to flee from officers is evidence that they knew what they were doing was wrong.
"At one point, there were 14 police officers on scene; that’s 14 officers who could have been dealing with other important matters across the county.
"We know both universities have been communicating regularly with students to inform them of the risks of holding events and the consequences involved.
"Parties like these are completely unfair on those who are rightly taking the threat of Covid seriously and can have massive implications on both the spread of the virus and subsequent strain on health services."
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Sheffield University said in a statement: "Our University Security Services and South Yorkshire Police have been working very closely and we have been clear and consistent with our messaging around student conduct and behaviour, regularly stressing to students that it is their social responsibility to adhere to government guidance.
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"We thank the vast majority of our students for their ongoing efforts to do so and help stop the spread of Covid-19.
"We will continue to take action if we receive specific reports of anti-social behaviour, including reports of social distancing not being adhered to, as well as provide practical and emotional support to students who may be struggling at this time."
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