Moment police raid packed nightclub ‘hidden’ in South London basement as they ignore social-distancing rules

THIS is the shocking moment police raid a packed nightclub ‘hidden’ in a South London basement full of careless revellers partying.

Cops filmed the scene inside Afrikiko Restaurant and Club in Peckham, where at least 45 people were caught raving and flouting Covid rules last month.

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Jam Press

Dozens of people were flouting social distancing rules in the basement party in London[/caption]

Jam Press

Cops raided the secret party in South London[/caption]

The revellers, who were ignoring coronavirus guidance, raved to a DJ set before the venue was stormed by officers.

Between July 31 and September police visited the premises six times – and found it operating as a nightclub, failing to stick to social distancing measures and occasionally ignoring the 10pm curfew.

Despite warnings, the staff at the venue continued to breach the coronavirus rules.

However, the final visit by cops on September 26, showed in the footage, ended with the Afrikiko Restaurant and Club being stripped of its licence for breaking Covid rules.

People tried to block officers from entering, claiming the basement was empty – but they were soon met with revellers drinking, dancing, and flouting social distancing rules.

Following a hearing on Tuesday, the premise had its alcohol licence revoked.

Sergeant Keith Dempster from the South Central Command Unit said: “The Met is determined to protect Londoners by cracking down on the most deliberate and egregious breaches of the regulations that are putting everyone at risk.

NIGHTCLUB SHUTDOWN

“As the spread of the virus continues, this type of intervention will become even more important, and the vast majority of Londoners who are abiding by the rules rightly expect us to be doing it.

“We don’t want to take away people’s livelihoods – we would far rather they engaged with us and operated in a safe way for everyone.

“However, by repeatedly operating as a nightclub, staff and patrons were exposed to a real risk of contracting and spreading Coronavirus, which would have affected London’s communities.

“Breaching these measures could also play a part in increasing the chance of further lockdown measures being imposed in London that would hurt other businesses.

“Whilst we will always look to engage with licensed premises and explain the new regulations, robust action will be taken against those that simply refuse to abide by the law and who, at the end of the day, put lives at risk.”

The number of Brits who have lost their lives to coronavirus is nearing 46,000 – as another 280 people die.

Meanwhile, 23,065 more have tested positive for the deadly bug.

In total, 45,955 people have died with Covid since the UK’s outbreak began.

However, there are encouraging signs the number of new infections is slowing.

Yesterday was the first time the daily number of cases has fallen on the amount recorded the week before since September 28.

Jam Press

Despite warnings, the staff at the venue continued to breach the coronavirus rules[/caption]