A man has been charged following a boat party in East London which around 30 people attended.
Jordy Nicholas Van Duijvenbode, 31, of no fixed address, was charged on Sunday (February 14) with one count of holding a gathering of more than 30 people and one count of participating in a gathering of two or more people.
He was charged under the Heath Protection Regulations.
Van Duijvenbode has been released on bail and is set to appear before Thames Magistrates’ Court on March 2.
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Police were called to the River Lea by several people following reports of music being played from a boat in the early hours of Saturday morning (February 13).
The party was being held just off of Hackney Marshes, between Tottenham Lock and Hackney.
Officers located the boat at approximately 4:20am.
A total of 26 people were fined after Police broke up the illegal rave, captured by bodycam footage.
A spokesperson for the force added: “The group was dispersed and 26 people were reported for the consideration of fixed penalty notices of £800 for breaking the rules designed to prevent the spread of the virus.
“Officers from the Met’s Marine Policing Unit secured the boat and seized music equipment, keys and generators. The Canal & River Trust has been informed.”
“It is incredibly disappointing that incidents of this nature continue when the vast majority of Londoners are doing the right thing and making huge sacrifices to stop the virus spreading, said Chief Inspector Pete Shaw, in charge of Covid policing in East London.
“Each breach of the regulations not only presents a risk to the groups congregating but also to the officers who have to deal with it. To have an individual who has repeatedly ignored these regulations and who appears to have organised multiple events is dangerous and indicates a complete disregard for the safety of all involved.
“We need to be doing everything we can as a community to try and keep ourselves, our family and friends as safe as possible and to reduce the pressure on the NHS.”
