Following the night 4 students each received £10,000 fines, more fines have been issued to students across Nottingham for having parties.
Nottinghamshire Police dealt with more than 60 students breaking the rules across the city and shut down a further four parties.
Officers were called to two separate parties near Broad Street after reports of large gatherings of Nottingham Trent University students.
One party was an advertised ticketed party with security on the door, which was being held for a birthday. Once inside, the officers found people hiding in bedrooms and on the balcony. Meanwhile next door there was another gathering of students being held at the same time.
Across the city police found University of Nottingham students partying, several of which were caught attempting to leave through the backdoor after spotting the officers.
The fourth incident was a gathering of NTU students on Hampden Street. Despite officers arriving on the scene swiftly, the majority had left by the time they had arrived.
Assistant Chief Constable Kate Meynell, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Despite a plea to stop these parties and only a day after we have given out considerable fines for exactly this which should have served as a warning, we are still finding a number of students who think the law simply doesn’t apply to them.
“We know the vast, vast majority of students who come and study in our city are following the rules and for this we really do want to thank them. They are saving lives by taking this responsible approach.
“But for some reason there is a small minority of students who are deliberately and provocatively flouting the rules like this and enough is enough.
“It is illegal and there are very good reasons for that. By not complying with the rules they are increasing the spread of Covid in our city and surrounding areas.
“We also have to use valuable police resource to deal with this, and this is impacting on how we manage other criminal matters, which is not how it should be and responsibility for this now needs to be taken.
“I find it absolutely astounding that we need to keep repeating the same message again so quickly after issuing a strong plea earlier this week.”
A University of Nottingham spokesperson said: The majority of our 35,000 students are following the rules, however, under our student Code of Conduct there are serious consequences for any student who breach the restrictions, including disciplinary action, fines and campus sanctions – in addition to police fines.
The University takes swift and proportionate disciplinary action when students are found to have willfully breached Covid restrictions.
“In the most serious cases, students will be fast-tracked to the highest levels of our process where suspension and exclusion are potential outcomes. People should be under no illusion that misconduct will be discovered and it will be punished.”
A Nottingham Trent University spokesperson has said: “Any behaviour by our students which is in breach of restrictions is completely unacceptable.
“Working with Nottinghamshire Police, and the City Council, we are funding more Community Protection Officers to ensure our students are following local restrictions, and we have made clear that we are willing to provide more money to extend this important service.
“Our students have been told repeatedly that they – like everyone – have a crucial role to play in limiting the spread of COVID-19.
“While the vast majority of our students continue to respect the guidelines and advice, we will not tolerate any breaches.”
By Laycie Beck
Feature image: West Bridgford Wire, Olimpia Zagnat (modified)