More than £2,000 of fines has been dished out after police broke up a party in Southampton in the early hours of Sunday.

Twelve people were found breaking the lockdown rules at a house in Paynes Road.

Hampshire police says they were called shortly before 1.30am on Sunday after a report of a large gathering taking place

An officer added: "Upon further inspection it appeared a party was taking place in contravention of the current Health Protection Regulations."

Six men and six women aged between 19 and 43-years-old were reported for summons, which means they will each face a £200 fine.

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Inspector Sarah Nicholson from the Southampton West Neighbourhood Team said: “This was a blatant breach of the Health Protection Regulations that are in place to keep people safe during the pandemic.

“The people hosting and attending this party were putting themselves and their loved ones at risk from the virus. It’s behaviour like this that ultimately puts pressure on the NHS and puts other people in the community at risk of serious illness or death.

“Everyone needs to follow both the regulations and the guidance to protect the NHS and save lives. I’d like to thank the vast majority of people in our communities who have been working hard to follow the rules. Those who do not follow the regulations in place to limit the spread of the virus should expect to receive a fine.”