THE POLICE will have the power to break up house parties of more than 15 people from tomorrow to help curb the spread of coronavirus.

The current limit for indoor gatherings is eight people from up to three households.

Nicola Sturgeon said that breaking up parties double that size and over was intended to be a last resort for “flagrant” breaches of the guidance.

The First Ministers said she did not want 15 to be seen as the new limit for gatherings and police could still “encourage” gatherings of between nine and 15 people to break up.

House parties, particularlry among young people, have emerged as a key means by which the virus is spread in the community.

Speaking at the daily briefing, Ms Sturgeon said the move was needed as more people socialised indoors in autumn and winter, and would be reviewed every three weeks.

She said reports from local outbreak Incident Management Teams suggested the increasing number of house parties in breach of the guidance posed a “major risk” of Covid-19 transmission and could act as “super-spreader” events.

She said: “Seeing friends is particularly important during what is a really difficult period. 

“But it needs to be done safely and responsibly. That is how we avoid the return of some of the stricter lockdown measures and continue to contain this virus.

“We know from our test and protect teams – and also from evidence around the world – that large, indoor gatherings pose a major transmission risk.

“The majority of people, young and old, will be sticking with limits under current guidance – and I am very grateful for that – however, there are a minority who don’t.

“I want to make it very clear – particularly to young people – that this is not about stopping you having fun, but enabling you to have fun safely.

“Ensuring police have the powers to enter and disperse large house parties is another tool in suppressing the virus. While we expect these powers to be used as a last resort, it will help to reduce the potential for future clusters and outbreaks.”

Police Scotland Chief Constable Iain Livingstone welcomed the development, saying officers had been frustrated at lacking the power to enter homes to stop threats to public health.

Giving evidence at Holyrood’s justice committee, he said: “All the public health evidence that’s been presented, transmission indoors where groups of people from different households are gathered together is the most significant threat. 

“When people are indoors and drinking too much, inhibitions are restricted.

“The need to put this into regulation is one I understand. 

“One issue that had caused me concern, and I’m pleased to see the Scottish Government have responded to that, was in extremis, the need to actually have a power of entry to go and take steps. 

“The vast, vast majority of times that won’t be needed – if we are called we will be able to engage with people.

“Where there’s outright refusal and where people are refusing to let the police in and they are turning the music up and continue to act in that manner, we do need to go in.”

He said the power would be one of last resort, and he expected it to be used “very lightly”.

He went on: “My position was, given the threat and given the gravity of the public health threat, that was a proportionate and legitimate power. 

“It’s one that we will use very lightly – we will use it in the same way as we’ve done with all the powers that have been granted, enforcement will be the last result.

“It is clear from what the First Minister and others have said that the continuation of house parties remains a real threat to containing the virus.

“It will be an extra burden. We will be working with the Scottish Police Federation and others to produce operational guidance.”