Following a student party in Hatfield, police issued 14 fixed penalty notices.

At around 1am on Sunday, January 31 on Eagle Way, police found a number of residents and local students in a house.

Subsequently, 14 £200 COVID-19 fines were issued and the University of Hertfordshire was notified.

Chief Inspector Simon Mason said: “Those present attempted to make off from the property once they spotted police which is a clear sign that they knew they were breaching the COVID regulations.

“We are doing everything we can to make sure that the regulations are being adhered to and I hope that our response is reassuring to local residents.

"We’re working closely with the University of Hertfordshire and I would like to stress that it is only a small number of students who have caused us issues – in this case, eight of those involved.

"We have a dedicated University Policing Team who focus on issues affecting the student population and they have been following up with those involved. I want to thank all those students who are following the rules and doing what is right.

“I’m sure we all feel frustrated by lockdown but with the death rate so high there is no excuse for complacency. To those tempted to breach regulations, please think long and hard about those actions.

"We have a moral duty to play our part and help save lives. Breaching the regulations sets us all back and is completely selfish when others have made sacrifices.”

A spokesperson from the University of Hertfordshire said: “The safety of our community is our absolute priority and we do not condone this behaviour.

"We will take appropriate action against any student found to have blatantly breached COVID-19 rules. If a student has been found to have breached COVID-19 rules, they will be disciplined in line with the University’s disciplinary policy.

"There are a number of sanctions we can apply for breach of code, including warnings, fines, suspensions and exclusions. The vast majority of our students are following the guidelines, and we will continue to work with the police and take action against those who are not.”