Police were last night called to a lockdown-flouting Valentine’s Day party held at an exclusive £12,000-per-week rented Mayfair flat once home to Hollywood star Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
Metropolitan Police officers were flagged down by members of the public amid reports that rule-breakers were gathering inside the 5,921 square foot luxury property in Central London.
However, MailOnline understands that police left the location without making arrests or imposing fines as the revellers did not let them into the building and ignored attempts by the force to be asked questions.
It comes amid a ‘heavy-handed’ police crackdown on lockdown flouters, with motorists coming into London today being stopped, quizzed about their intentions and reminded that only ‘essential journeys’ are permitted.
Police were last night called to a lockdown-flouting Valentine’s Day party held at an exclusive £12,000-per-week rented Mayfair flat once owned by Hollywood star Douglas Fairbanks Jr
Metropolitan Police officers were flagged down by members of the public amid reports that rule-breakers were gathering inside the 5,921 square foot luxury property in Central London
However, MailOnline understands that police left the location without making arrests or imposing fines as the revellers did not let them into the building and ignored attempts by the force to speak to them
It is thought the revellers were partying at a Grade II-listed Park Lane property overlooking Hyde Park built in 1823 and once owned by Douglas Fairbanks Jr, best known for starring in such films as The Prisoner of Zenda, Gunga Din and The Corsican Brothers
A force spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘Police were flagged down in Park Lane W1 at 00:25hrs on Sunday, 14 February after a number of people were reported to be gathered inside an address.
‘Officers attempted to speak to the occupants without response. They later left the location.’
It is thought the revellers were partying at a Grade II-listed Park Lane property overlooking Hyde Park built in 1823 and once owned by Douglas Fairbanks Jr, best known for starring in such films as The Prisoner of Zenda, Gunga Din and The Corsican Brothers.
A step inside the iconic 5,921 square foot luxury property reveals a private swimming pool and sauna, four bedrooms, five bathrooms and three reception rooms.
The apartment, that once saw the likes of actor Laurence Olivier, playwright Noel Coward and banking tycoon Sir Moses Montefiore walk through its doors, is now on the market for one lucky person looking to rent in the capital.
Inside the 99 Park Lane Georgian residence, which costs £11,500 per week to rent and comes fully furnished, is a stunning terrace, an open plan dining room and walk through wardrobes.
The expensive property also features a passenger lift, its own private driveway and marble floors.
Fairbanks Jr, who is the only child of actor Douglas Fairbanks, is known to have thrown an array of Hollywood parties during his time at the posh residence.
Under current Covid laws, people must not leave or be outside of your home except where you have a ‘reasonable excuse’.
The police can take action against Britons who meet in larger groups. This includes breaking up illegal gatherings and issuing fines (fixed penalty notices).
People can be given a Fixed Penalty Notice of £200 for the first offence, doubling for further offences up to a maximum of £6,400.
If people hold, or are involved in holding, an illegal gathering of over 30 people, the police can issue fines of £10,000. People attending illegal house parties face £800 fines as police tighten their clampdown on rule-breaking.
A step inside the iconic 5,921 square foot luxury property reveals a private swimming pool and sauna, four bedrooms, five bathrooms and three reception rooms
The apartment, that once saw the likes of actor Laurence Olivier, playwright Noel Coward and banking tycoon Sir Moses Montefiore walk through its doors, is now on the market for one lucky person looking to rent in the capital
Inside the 99 Park Lane Georgian residence, which costs £11,500 per week to rent and comes fully furnished, is a stunning terrace, an open plan dining room and walk through wardrobes
The expensive property also features a passenger lift, its own private driveway and marble floors. Fairbanks Jr, who is the only child of actor Douglas Fairbanks, is known to have thrown an array of Hollywood parties during his time at the posh residence
The apartment was once the home of American actor and producer Douglas Fairbanks Jr and his second wife Mary Lee Eppling from 1934 to 1941
The fines will double for each repeat offence, up to a maximum of £6,400. Hosts of illegal parties are already liable for a £10,000 fine.
It comes as police step up patrols today as the third lockdown continues to interrupt normal life, preventing couples who have lived apart during the pandemic from meeting each other on Valentine’s Day.
A Metropolitan police source said last night: ‘I’m going to be spending my Valentine’s Day ruining people’s Valentine’s Days’ and joked that officers could end up asking male drivers: ‘Is that your wife, sir?’
The force has not routinely conducted regular spot checks on drivers as part of its Covid rule enforcement before now.
Sir Ian Duncan Smith, the former Conservative party leader, said the operation – to focus on West London – was ‘heavy-handed’ adding: ‘If people are just having a quiet Valentine’s Day, why should we be stopping them? We’re not a police state.’
The police source said it is meant primarily as a ‘deterrent’, adding: ‘Most police officers are loath to hand out fines. If people apologise then they will mostly get off with a warning.’
It is currently against the law for people to meet socially with family or friends unless they are part of one household or support bubble.
Announcing the lockdown last month, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: ‘You may only leave home for limited reasons permitted in law, such as to shop for essentials, to work if you absolutely cannot work from home, to exercise, to seek medical assistance such as getting a Covid test, or to escape domestic abuse.’
Failing to stay at home without a valid reason can result in a £200 fine, which falls to £100 if paid within 14 days.
A Home Office source said ‘visibility is important’ and praised the police for the way it has approached enforcement. The source said the focus is on: ‘Engage, encourage and explain, and enforce as last resort.’
The level of enforcement of lockdown rules varies from force to force. Some have refused to hand out many fines, while Derbyshire Police have been accused of being ‘over-zealous’ in issuing £200 fines to people for visiting beauty spots.
And police in Cornwall have stopped drivers who took to the roads last month to ‘watch the sunset’.
It is understood Ministers are keen on introducing a more consistent strategy across the country, instead of each force interpreting rules in its own way.
Last night the Met’s press office said it was not aware of the Valentine’s Day operation.
It comes as Boris Johnson is set to order the reopening of all schools from March 8 with picnics in the park back on the agenda and ‘al fresco’ meet-ups in pubs allowed from April, it was claimed today.
The PM is preparing a loosening of the draconian coronavirus restrictions on everyday life amid massive pressure from Tory MPs who fear huge collateral damage is being done to the country and economy.
Under the ‘roadmap’ – due to be unveiled on February 22 – all primary and secondary schools could return from March 8.
However, at the same time people could be allowed to sit and chat on park benches with a friend, and have picnics with their household ‘bubble’ – something that is currently banned.
