Police investigate large gathering in Bury St Edmunds after more than 30 people release balloons

Police are investigating after a large gathering allegedly took place in Bury St Edmunds, in breach of COVID-19 restrictions.

The incident allegedly took place at the Howard Estate field just off St Olaves Road in Bury St Edmunds on Tuesday afternoon when around 30 people gathered to release balloons.

A post uploaded to social media shows pictures of a large group of people, not wearing facemasks and standing close together.

One of the photos uploaded to a social media post which has since been deleted.

A Suffolk Police spokesperson said: “Police are conducting an investigation following reports of a gathering of people in the Howard Park area of Bury St Edmunds on Wednesday afternoon, 10th February.

Police were made aware that at approximately 4:15pm a number of people had gathered together and were releasing balloons.

As a result, officers are conducting an investigation into the circumstances of this incident, and are gathering evidence to identify individuals as potentially being in breach of the regulations to see if action is necessary and can be taken.

Suffolk Police will continue to take a proportionate approach, to understand people’s circumstances, and engage, explain and encourage compliance ahead of any enforcement. Where there are clear and blatant breaches, officers will take enforcement action.”