Police shut down illegal party in student accommodation block

A party on Friday night attended by dozens of people led to two 19-year-old men given fixed penalty notices by police.

Bodycam footage uploaded by Avon & Somerset Police shows officers walking through a corridor at student accommodation on Frogmore Street amid laughter and shouting from partygoers.

Faces of the people at the party have been blurred out on the video, which shows dozens of people – some wearing masks – leaving the building.

Police called the actions of those attending the illegal gathering “reprehensible” while a statement from the University of Bristol called the behaviour of the students “unacceptable”.

It comes as Marvin Rees thanked Bristol’s student community for their efforts to stop the spread of Covid-19, calling them “an integral part of the fabric of our city”.

Unite Students own two properties on Frogmore Street, Unite House which is home to 400 University of Bristol students; and Orchard Heights, which houses 477 Bristol Uni students on the site of the former ice rink.

Avon & Somerset Police chief inspector Justin French said: “It’s hard to believe those involved in this gathering would be so reckless and act without care or thought about the impact their actions will have on the community in which they live.

“This is a deadly virus and rates in Bristol have been rising, which makes their actions even more reprehensible.

“Most people are doing the right thing and staying at home. It’s the actions of a few people who are ignoring or bending the rules which is putting everyone at risk.”

Orchard Heights is one of two student accommodation blocks run by Unite Students on Frogmore Street – photo: Unite Students

A University of Bristol spokesperson said that they were “disappointed” to receive reports of the gathering.

The statement said: “The police were called and have issued fines. We will follow this up internally, and will take appropriate disciplinary action as necessary.

“This kind of behaviour is unacceptable. As a University we will not hesitate to take action against those who disregard the rules.

“It must be stressed that the vast majority of our students have behaved impeccably since the start of this academic year and have followed Government and University guidance around social distancing and keeping to their living circles.”

Unite House on Frogmore Street is opposite the Hatchett pub – photo: Unite Students

Less than 90 minutes after police released the footage on Monday afternoon, Rees published an open letter to Bristol’s student community on his Facebook page, signed by himself and his deputy mayor, Asher Craig.

Rees went to Swansea University, studying for a masters in political theory; before completing another masters degree in global economic development at Eastern University in Pennsylvania where he studied courses including biblical economics.

Craig, deputy mayor responsible for communities, equalities & public health, has an MSc in policy studies from the University of Bristol.

Marvin Rees and Asher Craig – photo: Kerry McCarthy

Rees and Craig wrote: “We wanted to thank you personally for all your efforts over the last few months to stop the spread of Covid-19 and protect our Bristol community. We know how tired, anxious and frustrated you must be with the ongoing situation and all of its repercussions – you are not alone.

“Bristol’s students are an integral part of the fabric of our city. You are part of our vibrant and progressive city.

“Times like these really bring home the importance of acting as a community, with everything that entails, and I want to thank you for all you’ve done for your city and for your University.

“We recognise there is a tendency of some media to criticise, occasionally with little or no basis, however we know the vast majority of students have acted responsibly and compassionately by complying with government guidelines and local restrictions.”

Main photo: Avon & Somerset Police

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