Police bodycam footage has caught the moment a funeral wake with more than 200 guests was shut down due to a ‘major’ breach of coronavirus laws.

Officers are seen entering the grounds of Castle Bromwich Hall Hotel, Solihull, on Friday at around 9pm. Cops had received nine calls complaining about loud music coming from the large gathering.

The video shows a huge marquee packed with hundreds eating, drinking and listening to music, while attendees are seen spilling out onto the grounds as officers speak to them.

Cops then enter the reception area and demand to speak to the hotel manager, before West Midlands Police issued their first hefty fine for breaking rules against holding mass gatherings.

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Castle Bromwich Hall has also been banned from holding events until January next year.

The gathering was the latest in a series of law-breaking events held at the
hotel.

The manager had been previously warned about such breaches but they continued to hold events with no measures in place for track and trace, social distancing or table service.

The hotel owner’s personal licence has been immediately suspended, pending a hearing later this month.

Assistant Chief Constable Claire Bell said: ‘We are living in difficult
times and we understand people want to celebrate the lives of loved
ones who have passed however we must all play our part to follow the
rules which are in place to help stop the spread of the virus and to
keep everybody safe.

‘We engaged with all those at the funeral gathering and explained why
they needed to leave which they duly did.

‘It is the hotel manager who has been penalised for repeatedly
organising events that breach the Covid-19 legislation; his actions
have blatantly disregarded measures to keep people safe in a pandemic.

‘Businesses have a responsibility not only to their customers and
their staff but to the wider community and there must be consequences
when COVID-19 guidance is simply ignored.’

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