TWO men have been charged after a house party with more than 300 people in Midlothian.
Officers were called to the property in Gorebridge at 12.20am on Sunday August 30 and discovered the mass gathering.
The group was dispersed and a 29-year-old man was issued with a fixed penalty notice.
Two men, aged 20 and 29, have since been arrested and charged in connection with the incident.
Councillor Stephen Curran, chairman of Midlothian Police, Fire and Rescue Board, said: "Those 300 or so people didn't just put themselves at risk of contracting coronavirus, they put residents across Midlothian and beyond at risk.
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"To call them selfish and irresponsible is an understatement. We realise it can be challenging following the guidance but if the majority of us can do it then so can they.
"We are working hard to avoid lockdowns like those happening in and around Glasgow but we need everyone to help keep Midlothian safe."
Alison McCallum, director of Public Health at NHS Lothian, said it was "critical" for people not to socialise as normal.
Current coronavirus restrictions in Scotland state no more than eight people from a maximum of three households should meet indoors, while a temporary restriction in Glasgow, West Dunbartonshire and East Renfrewshire bans home visits.
Meanwhile, officers attended 391 house parties across Scotland between Friday and Sunday in response to reports of alleged breaches of coronavirus regulations - a 23% increase compared to the previous weekend.
Those at the gatherings were given advice, dispersed and 18 fixed penalty notices were issued.
Police Scotland also attended 2127 incidents over the weekend after reports of noise, public nuisance and disturbance. This is an increase of 449 on the same weekend last year.
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