Hundreds of people ignore social distancing as they pack together by the Cutty Sark in London for ‘illegal Christmas market’ despite strict lockdown rules

  • Furious passersby shared images of the crowd in Greenwich to social media 
  • Some angry locals claimed  make-shift Christmas market had popped up
  • Pictures showed mask-free revellers defying social distancing rules by the river

A huge crowd of lockdown-defying Londoners have gathered along the River Thames in breach of strict social distancing rules.

Furious passersby said up to 400 people gathered in Greenwich this evening, as some angry locals claimed a make-shift Christmas market had popped up.

Pictures showed mask-free revellers defying social distancing rules to listen to a busker playing a guitar.

The masts of the historic British ship the Cutty Sark can be seen illuminated in the background.

Under the country’s second lockdown – which began on November 5 –  outdoor social gatherings are banned.

Two members of different households are permitted to meet outdoors, but two-metre social distancing rules must be abided by. 

A huge crowd of lockdown-defying Londoners have gathered along the River Thames in Greenwich despite the nation-wide second lockdown (pictured)

One onlooker shared images to Twitter, writing: ‘Can’t believe it’s in lockdown. People gathering aside the river and singing. There’s even a Christmas market beside Cutty sark.’

Another passerby wrote: ‘How can there possibly be a Christmas market tonight with hundreds of people gathering without masks or keeping distance around the Cutty Sark during a nation-wide lockdown? So unresposible!’

Meanwhile, in Wandsworth, images of crowds of people drinking while standing along pavements were shared to Twitter. 

Yuning Zhang said the revellers were ‘drinking in large groups of presumbly multiple household’.

Met Police said ‘local officers have been made aware of the incident’ in reply to her post.

Pictures showed mask-free revellers defying social distancing rules as they sang along to music in Greenwich

The masts of the historic British ship the Cutty Sark can be seen illuminated in the background in Greenwich

Another passerby wrote: ‘How can there possibly be a Christmas market tonight with hundreds of people gathering without masks or keeping distance around the Cutty Sark during a nation-wide lockdown? So unresposible!’

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