OVER 20 people who were found in a Blackburn shisha cafe last night have all been issued with fixed penalty tickets for breaking Covid-19 guidelines.

Police found 23 people inside Cube Shisha on Darwen Street and they have all been issued with a £200 fixed penalty ticket, amounting to a £4,600 fine for the rule break.

Blackburn with Darwen police will be speaking with Public Protection Officers and the business owners could face further consequences for the breach.

In a Facebook post, Sgt Steve Dundon from Blackburn with Darwen police said: "Last night Officers had cause to attend a "shisha cafe" in Blackburn Town Centre following reports that it was being used in contravention of the current Coronavirus Regulations.

"Officers gained entry and located 23 people inside in a blatant breach of the Regulations. All 23 individuals were issued with a £200 fixed penalty ticket.

"It is really disappointing to find that some people are still not getting the seriousness of the situation we are all in and think it is acceptable to behave in this way. This kind of selfish behaviour is doing nothing to help prevent the spread of this disease and help to reduce the pressure on the NHS.

"Anyone who is tempted to behave in this way, needs to have a good think about the wider consequences of their actions and understand that we will not hesitate to take positive action against them.

"We will be speaking with Blackburn with Darwen Public Protection Officers in due course and the owners of this business can expect further consequences."