
The owner of a south-west London restaurant faces a £10,000 fine for hosting an illegal party which was barged in on by police.
Officers were called to the business in Chiswick at 10.38pm last night following reports of a party inside, in violation of coronavirus lockdown rules.
The Metropolitan Police say it won’t name businesses or companies involved in such incidents, even if business owners have been breaking the law.
But a photographer was passing the scene during the raid of Piano Restaurant and Bar and was shown the back door by officers.
Officers found more than 30 people gathered inside, some of whom fled through the front door.
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It came just hours after harsher penalties came into force, meaning anyone attending an indoor gathering of more than 15 people could be fined £800.
The raid at Piano Restaurant came hours after tougher fines to prevent parties came into force (Picture: LNP)
Police were called following reports of a disturbance (Picture: LNP)
A passing photographer was shown the back door by a police officer (Picture: LNP)
The Met said 15 people found inside the restaurant were handed fixed penalty notices.
As the alleged organiser, the owner now faces a fine up up to £10,000 for the soiree.
When contacted by Metro.co.uk, a member of staff at Piano said someone ‘broke into the restaurant and took the TV’, which is why police were in attendance that night.
The Metropolitan Police have been contacted for further comment.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
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