Lancaster students issued with strong warnings over dangers of Covid-19 breaches

Police broke up a 50-strong student party in the city at the weekend with 38 fines being handed out.

A Lancaster University spokesman said students can expect to face a penalty for breaking Covid regulations – and could be excluded from university.

“The police have made us aware of an incident off campus that constitutes a very serious breach of university and national Covid regulations and we continue to support their investigation,” the spokesman said.

“University penalties for breaches of the university’s Covid regulations can range from fines of £300 for minor breaches, through to permanent exclusion from the university for the most serious offenses including, but not limited to, large gatherings.”

And leading student letting agent Student Housing Lancaster has also reacted swiftly and strongly to the incident.

Student Housing Lancaster acts on behalf of the private owner of the building where the party took place.

A spokesman said: "The tenants have been sent an extremely strongly worded email highlighting the seriousness of the matter and the findings of the police.

"We acted on Saturday immediately after receiving news of the incident and contacted the police directly. In the email, we have also stated that they have not only broken the law but also the trust of their neighbours and us, their letting agents.

“We along with the owner of the building are of course condemning their wholly irresponsible and illegal actions that led to this. Disappointed doesn’t even begin to describe how we feel. The team has been personally affected by Covid with a family bereavement and one member is clinically vulnerable.”

An earlier report on lancasterguardian.co.uk incorrectly stated that ‘Student Housing Lancaster 'is believed to be the owners of the building’.

We would like to clarify that SHL is merely letting agents working on behalf of the private owners of the premises.