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Hundreds of students flout coronavirus rules with huge rave inside university hall of residence

Watch: Students flout rule of six at mass rave

This is the moment a huge gathering of students were caught flouting social distancing rules when they took part in a rave at their university.

Around 200 people were seen jumping on tables and forming a dance floor as they danced to a grime song at a hall of residence at Coventry University.

The party shows that numbers far exceeded the government's “rule of six” law, aimed at preventing the spread of coronavirus.

The tightly packed crowd are shown holding up mobile phones, with several people jumping on tables as the song plays in the background.

Around 200 people jumped on tables and formed a dancefloor during the illegal rave. (Reach)
Around 200 people jumped on tables and formed a dancefloor during the illegal rave. (Reach)

The clip was filmed at Arundel House, close to Coventry University's main campus, and has been viewed over 70,000 times.

Police said an agreement had been reached to shut down some communal areas in the accommodation and beef up security in light of the gathering, which took place in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

An investigation is also underway to determine if the party had been planned.

The footage emerged as an outbreak of COVID-19 at Manchester Metropolitan University kept 1,700 students in self-isolation.

The party shows that numbers far exceeded the government's 'rule of six'. (Reach)
The party shows that numbers far exceeded the government's 'rule of six'. (Reach)

COVID cases continue to rise in Coventry, with figures showing 269 positive tests in the seven days up to 28 September – 127 more than the previous week.

A spokesman said the university was aware of the incident, adding that any students found to be in breach of the university's code of conduct could face disciplinary proceedings.

Watch: 'Rule of six' explained

The university said: “We are deeply concerned by the scenes in the video and strongly condemn the blatant breaches of the rule of six and other guidelines as they risk the health of our students, colleagues and the communities in which we are located.

“We have introduced a code of conduct for students and shared this widely with them ahead of the weekend.”

The clip was filmed at Arundel House, close to Coventry University's main campus. (Reach)
The clip was filmed at Arundel House, close to Coventry University's main campus. (Reach)
The tightly-packed crowd is shown holding up mobile phones. (Reach)
The tightly packed crowd are shown holding up mobile phones. (Reach)
Coventry, UK - FEBRUARY 10, 2017 : University of Coventry in UK, Engineering Building
The rave took place in a hall of residence at Coventry University. (Getty/stock photo)

They added: “The vast majority of our students are sensible adults and are taking coronavirus very seriously.”

A spokesman for Coventry Police said: “We will be examining CCTV and will take action if evidence comes to light that this was a planned party.

“We have liaised with management at the student accommodation block and they have agreed to close some communal areas and to increase security.

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during a virtual press conference at Downing Street, London, Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020, following the announcement that the legal limit on social gatherings is set to be reduced from 30 people to six. The change in England will come into force on Monday as the Government seeks to curb the rise in coronavirus cases. (Stefan Rousseau/Pool via AP)
Boris Johnson announced the 'rule of six' at the start of the month. (AP)

“We have also arranged a Safer Students stall in Arundel House tomorrow to reiterate COVID-19 regulations and the consequences should those regulations be flouted.”

A spokesman for NIDO, which runs Arundel House, said: "We are in close contact with FutureLets at Coventry University and are assisting the local authorities with their investigation…

“We have also now restricted all visitors to the building, closed communal areas, and have stepped up security across our residences to oversee these policies.

“We do not want the actions of a few to affect the experience of many.”

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