‘Boy racers’ were filmed showing off their souped-up cars on Chelsea Bridge sparking a backlog of traffic after more than 300 people turned up to an illegal rave in a weekend of defiance amid fresh coronavirus rules.
Footage from the crossing in west London, now under the strict Tier 4 restrictions, shows slow-moving traffic as modified vehicles rev their engines repeatedly.
During the 50-second clip, believed to have been taken at around 11pm on Sunday night, cars are seen parked on either side of the bridge as traffic moves slowly, with drivers sounding off their modified exhaust pipes.
The London 999 Feed Twitter account posted footage of the meeting, saying: ‘Delays crossing #Chelsea Bridge due to a ”car meet” as boy racers stop in middle of the road to rev engines.’
On Saturday night, just hours before more than 16 million people were plunged into Tier 4, police shut down a gathering of more than 300 people in Water Orton, Warwickshire, and dispersed the crowd, handing out fines.
Footage from the crossing in west London, now under the strict Tier 4 restrictions, shows slow-moving traffic as modified vehicles rev their engines repeatedly
At 10.59pm on Sunday social media user Reg Hoare tweeted footage of the meet at police, saying: ‘What we’re having to put up with this evening on Queenstown Road/ Chelsea Bridge – very antisocial at this time of a Sunday night.’
More than 300 people turned up to an illegal rave on Saturday night – just hours before more than 16 million people were plunged into Tier 4
Drinkers spotted huddled together last night on the Portobello Road in Notting Hill, London on Sunday night
Warwickshire Police said on Saturday: ‘Tonight officers from E and B shift have attended Marsh Lane, Water Orton, after reports of a rave on going.
‘There was in excess of 300 people at this illegal rave, the rave was brought to an end and the crowd was quickly dispersed, some attendees who we caught up with will be issued with COVID fines.
‘The equipment used has been seized along with the van used to transport it.
‘Enquires are on going to locate the organiser of this event, if anyone has any information please call 101 and quote log number 436 of 19/12/2020’
The rave happened just hours after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced new Tier 4 restrictions and tightened the visiting rules for other regions.
Revellers seen outside a venue in Notting Hill, west London, last night as parts of Britain entered Tier 4 restrictions
Pictures taken last night also show drinkers in west London’s Notting Hill congregating outside a venue with no masks, in another sign of defiance of new restrictions.
Warwickshire remains in Tier 3, while the scene of the ‘car meet’ in London is in Tier 4.
One social media user responded to the video of ‘boy racers’ on Chelsea Bridge saying: ‘Confiscate the lot!’
Another said: ‘Roads are Totally Lawless in The UK #NeedMoreTrafficPolice #NeedMorePolice.’
A third said: ‘I know there are worse things happening in the world, but something needs to be done about this.
‘It’s extremely loud, and also selfish at a time when we are not supposed to be going out. I hope no-one living here has ptsd related to loud bangs.’
But one Twitter user said: ‘They aren’t really blocking anyone. Traffic is just slow as people are parking for the car meet-up/burger stand. It’s midnight on a sunday night, I think what they are doing is fine.’
During the 50-second clip, believed to have been taken on Sunday night, cars are seen parked on either side of the bridge as traffic moves slowly
The ‘Jambuster’ Twitter account, which monitors traffic, posted: ‘A3216 Chelsea Bridge (Southbound) – Closed southbound due to a car meeting event. Use an alternative route. Traffic is flowing well on diversion. #LondonTraffic’
At 10.59pm on Sunday social media user Reg Hoare tweeted footage of the meet at police, saying: ‘What we’re having to put up with this evening on Queenstown Road/ Chelsea Bridge – very antisocial at this time of a Sunday night.’
The Met Police Contact Centre replied: ‘Hello, thank you for this information. We are aware of this incident, officers are currently dealing with this accordingly.’
MailOnline has contacted Metropolitan Police for comment.
Additional footage taken by a passing bus passenger showed more than a dozen police cars and vans outside an address in Putney, southwest London, in the early hours of Sunday.
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Crowds of people could be seen on the street near police vans outside a Metro bank.
Photographs from the latest incident showed a heavy police prescence in Putney. Though reports of a rave were unconfirmed, officers were pictured lining up outside a venue with ballistic shields.
Photographs posted on social media showed police officers preparing to intercept what is thought to have been an illegal rave
Illegal raves have become a regular weekend occurance during lockdown. On November 28, body-worn camera footage showed a policeman screaming, ‘everyone needs to start leaving now’ through the front door of a house in Chislehurst.
While one group immediately left, another attempted to hide in a different room.
Upon entering the home and discovering the second group, the officer shouted in disbelief: ‘Right, everyone’s got to leave. This is ridiculous. Come on. Out.’
Bleary eyed partygoers then slowly filtered out of the address, which had been filled with bright fluorescent disco lights.
It has been a year littered with illegal gatherings as underground DJs and ravers organised events during coronavirus lockdown.
