50 people fined and three arrested as police raid Merseyside gym breaking lockdown rules

Three people were arrested and 50 fined at a Merseyside gym that has remained open throughout lockdown.

Prophecy Performance Centre in Speke, Merseyside was raided by police and landed with a hefty fine after breaking lockdown rules.

Security footage shows people trying to escape the gym as police swooped on the car park. Another clip shows a man in handcuffs fall to the floor while he is being arrested before being surrounded by eight officers and a police dog.

Witnesses have said police were heavy-handed, however police said the group became aggressive when they were stopped from leaving the scene at 7pm on Sunday. 

Deputy chief constable Serena Kennedy said: “During this incident, the use of force was judged necessary by officers in response to people’s behaviour.

“Officers should not be confronted with abuse and violence when attempting to uphold the law which most people are rightly abiding by.

“We are currently in a national lockdown which means people should not be leaving their homes for non-essential reasons or meeting up with other people outside their household or support bubble.

“Flouting Covid rules in this manner is not acceptable. Some people at the gym in Speke on Sunday had travelled from as far as Manchester.”

A 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault, a 33-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of false imprisonment and a 34-year-old man arrested on suspicion of false imprisonment, assault and careless driving. 

The gym – which had padlocked its fire doors – has been closed with immediate effect and a fire safety inspection is set to take place. 

CCTV footage of the incident was posted to Instagram.