Shisha Smoking and Illegal Gatherings: Walthamstow and Leyton Hit with Heavy Fines
Officers swooped on rule-breakers across East London on Friday night, catching partygoers flouting COVID-19 restrictions. From shisha puffs on Hoe Street to large boozy crowds in Leytonstone and Leyton, the crackdown delivered eye-watering fines totalling nearly £50,000.
Shisha Trio Caught Out in Walthamstow
An open shutter on Hoe Street gave away three men smoking shisha and drinking inside a venue on the evening of 29 January. The trio claimed they were just waiting for food. But cops found no evidence of any order and slapped each with £200 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs). This same venue was fined in November 2020 for breaking pandemic rules – and council bosses are now deciding on further action.
Massive Crackdown on Leytonstone Boozy Bash
Later that night in Leytonstone, loud voices from a large group revealed customers smoking and drinking while waiting for grilled food on High Road. Police hit 22 people with fines up to £800 each, backed by new powers targeting big gatherings. Meanwhile, enforcement officers shut down the food business due to serious hygiene issues.
Chaos in Leyton Ends with £20k Fines
While dealing with the crowd in Leytonstone, a tip-off sent officers to a venue on Lea Bridge Road, Leyton. They found 35 people crammed inside, with some scrambling to escape across a neighbouring building. Police seized alcohol and a price list, and dispersed the restless crowd safely. The venue’s company director and leaseholder were each fined £10,000.
Superintendent Waheed Khan, Metropolitan Police: “There can be no doubt we are in the throes of a deadly pandemic. The fact some businesses continue to break restrictions quite frankly beggars belief. Police and special constables work closely with councils to enforce rules saving lives and protecting the NHS. Please do your bit to help these officers working hard to protect you.”
Cllr Clyde Loakes, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for the Environment: “There can be no excuse for ignoring the serious situation we face. I’m disappointed that council officers and police risk their safety because a minority don’t care about others. We all want to protect our families and friends. The vaccine rollout gives us hope, and it is simply irresponsible to jeopardise people’s safety now.”
In total, officers issued £49,400 in fines during the night, including one penalty for cannabis possession. The warning is clear: lockdown law-breakers face a costly price for selfish behaviour.
