Dramatic footage of moment police attacked while breaking up 40-person house party

Watch: Police shut down house party in breach of COVID rules

Police officers have been injured after party-goers attacked them while they shut down a 40-guest house party in breach of the coronavirus lockdown.

Drone footage shows a stream of revellers fleeing the gathering as police arrive to halt the illegal event, which is banned under restrictions.

Seven officers were hurt as bottles were thrown at them, but their injuries were described as minor, the worst affected receiving a black eye. Three people were arrested.

The house party, in the Mapperley area of Nottinghamshire, went ahead despite all but one area of the county ranking among the worst for COVID-19 infections.

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Nottinghamshire Police Assistant Chief Constable Steve Cooper said: "This incident was completely unacceptable. An investigation is ongoing as to who else may have been present and we will take robust action against those found to have committed offences.

"COVID or no COVID – assaults on emergency services staff will not be tolerated and as well as receiving fines the individuals involved in this incident will be liable for prosecution for other offences.

"Our officers pride themselves on providing an excellent service to the public in order to keep them safe.

"The vast majority of people have been complying with the rules throughout the pandemic however sadly we have seen a few incidents whereby people have thought it acceptable to assault emergency workers."

Despite Nottinghamshire's COVID issues, the force said officers are still being called to parties.

The Mapperley party saw police attend at about 12.05am on 3 March with the drone and a dog.

Two men, aged 26 and 21, and a 17-year-old girl were arrested on suspicion of common assault of an emergency worker.

The 26-year-old also detained on suspicion of cannabis possession.

ACC Cooper said Nottinghamshire Police usually encourages people to follow the rules, but can enforce where rules are blatantly broken.

"Most of Nottinghamshire is in the top 25% nationally for highest rates of infection which it is why it is essential everyone still takes the restrictions extremely seriously," he said.

"The only way to bring the numbers down is to stick to the rules and where we find anyone deliberately contravening these, especially after receiving several warnings, they will be robustly dealt with."

The incident follows an assault on a police officer and paramedic in Kirkby-in-Ashfield on 2 March, in which police said a man spat at two responders.

Despite the rule breaking, a study in January found 96% of people were mostly complying.