THE owner of a Southall venue faces a £10,000 fixed penalty after allowing a wedding reception that attracted more than 100 people to go ahead.

Police were called to the Tudor Rose in The Green on Tuesday evening (13).

It was immediately clear that a high number of people had crowded into the venue to celebrate a wedding.

This was in clear breach of the regulations, put in place by the Government to protect people from COVID-19.

Officers saw no clear evidence that guests were maintaining social distancing or taking any reasonable steps to prevent transmitting the virus.

Under current regulations, guest numbers are limited to 15. Police dispersed the gathering to ensure numbers complied with the law.

Senior officers decided to report the owner of the venue for consideration of a £10,000 fixed penalty notice.

Chief Supt Peter Gardner said: “Restrictions on large gatherings, such as weddings, have been in place for months and, quite frankly, there can be no excuse for this flagrant and arrogant violation of the law.

“There was clearly no attempt by the venue owner to enforce the regulations or keep their patrons safe.”