12 Caught Playing Games in Secret Whitechapel Basement Den
Police Burst Into Restaurant After Owner Tries to Block Entry
On Tuesday, 29 December, Met Police officers from the Central East BCU responded to a tip-off at a Whitechapel Road eatery in E1. The restaurant owner attempted to delay and stop officers from entering, insisting only staff were inside.
12 Found Hiding in Dark Room, Gaming
Ignoring the owner’s protests, police forced entry and discovered a dozen people hiding in a dark basement room. The group had gathered to play games — clearly breaking Tier 4 coronavirus restrictions.
Fines Issued, Owner Faces Possible Penalty
- All 12 attendees slapped with Fixed Penalty Notices
- Tower Hamlets Council alerted to consider fining the restaurant owner for obstruction
Chief Inspector Pete Shaw said: “The rules under Tier 4 are in place to keep all of us safe, and they do not exempt people from gathering to play games together in basements. The fact that these people hid from officers clearly shows they knew they were breaching the rules and have now been fined for their actions.”
