Police called to ‘large’ Golders Green wedding led by ‘Stamford Hill rabbi’
Photos and footage shared on social media show dozens of seats in the dining area and a chuppa set up in an outdoor space
Weddings are expensive occasions at the best of times. But for one happy couple in Golders Green, allegedly failing to follow coronavirus restrictions led to some uninvited guests on Wednesday.
Metropolitan Police officers attended the occasion, following reports of a “large group of people gathered” at a residential address in Bridge Lane, and issued a fixed penalty fine.
Photos and footage, shared on Facebook and Twitter by the anonymous author of the blog The Diary Of An OTD Girl, appear to show dozens of seats in a lavish dining area and a chuppa set up in what resembles an outdoor space.
Speaking to Jewish News on Thursday, Rabbi Haim Halpern, of Divrei Chaim Synagogue, denied reports circulating on social media that he officiated at the wedding. “I didn’t officiate,” he said on Thursday. “It was a rabbi in Stamford Hill, who came over.”
https://www.facebook.com/OTDgirl/videos/587143418567015
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said on Thursday: “Officers attended the address in the evening and spoke with the occupants. They were informed that a family occasion was to take place and that a very small number of people would be present. Appropriate advice regarding government guidelines around Covid-19 was given.
“Police were called again at 21:00hrs following reports of a large group of people gathered at the address. Officers attended and engaged, explained the guidance and encouraged compliance. By 2300hrs the event had closed.”
No arrests were made.
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