Students filmed throwing huge illegal party outside halls

Dozens of University of Manchester students were filmed partying the night away outside their halls despite the ‘rule of six’ on social gatherings.

A Snapchat video with the caption ‘Covid wah?’ taken at 1am this morning shows a huge crowd outside Owens Park halls in the suburb of Fallowfield.

Another clip shows a sea of people dancing to music which appears to be coming from a sound system.

The University of Manchester said it ‘strongly condemns’ the behaviour and that details of offending students would be recorded.

A spokesperson said a number of those captured in the footage will now go through a disciplinary process and that more security officers have been deployed at Fallowfield campus.

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In a statement, the university said: ‘We are aware of this party and our security services worked with Greater Manchester Police to shut it down.

‘This behaviour is totally unacceptable and the University strongly condemns it. We have been clear and consistent with our messaging around student conduct and behaviour in halls and we will be working hard to identify those involved.

‘Our students must respect social distancing rules and all other restrictions to keep themselves and others safe.

‘If students do not comply, they will face disciplinary action from the University, which could lead to fines or expulsion, and we will not hesitate to involve the police if necessary.

‘Some students have already been issued with fixed penalty notices by the police. Additional security officers have been deployed in Fallowfield and further reminders sent.

‘Details of offending students are being recorded and a number of these will now go through our disciplinary process.’

Greater Manchester Police have been approached for comment.

It comes after hundreds of students in Glasgow and Dundee were forced to isolate in their halls after a number tested positive for coronavirus.

One Glasgow student told Metro.co.uk there was a ‘party or social gathering’ going on outside their building until 3am on Wednesday night and said they are worried they could catch the virus next.

Social gatherings of more than six people are currently banned in England under coronavirus laws.

Students should only socialise with people they live with in their halls or houses – and should not mix with other groups – unless part of a support bubble with a single person household.

The University of Manchester has warned that students could be made subject to a curfew following a ‘significant’ number of coronavirus breaches.

Bosses said ‘active consideration’ is now being given to the introduction of a curfew across halls, or other restrictive measures.

Earlier this week, four students in Fallowfield were fined by the police after organising an ‘after the pub party’.

Each student was handed a £100 fixed penalty notice from officers for not adhering to social distancing guidelines.

And at Birley Halls, accommodation for Manchester Metropolitan University students, residents claim around 100 people were partying till the early hours of the morning last Monday and Tuesday night.

Last week a Greater Manchester Police sergeant tweeted: ‘Shocked at the arrogance, ignorance & selfishness of some of the freshers in Manchester.

‘When you’re asked to follow the Covid rules, do as you’re told. If you refuse, resulting in being told to leave, don’t kick off! Your actions are risking bars / pubs being closed!’

Some students however have said they’ve felt uneasy during their start at university and like they had been unfairly targeted throughout the coronavirus crisis so far.

One fresher said: ‘It’s a bit weird. The first few weeks are about meeting people and obviously it’s so hard to do that. Everyone is a bit on edge.’

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