Merseyside Police raided Prophecy Performance Centre in Speke, Liverpool, on Sunday afternoon after the gym continued to operate in defiance of the national lockdown. Officers used batons and physical force to detain individuals attempting to flee the premises.
Three people were arrested and 52 were issued fixed penalty notices for Covid breaches. A 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer, while a 33-year-old woman and a 34-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of false imprisonment. The 34-year-old man was also held for assaulting a police officer and careless driving.
CCTV footage shared on social media shows gym-goers escaping through the back of the gym, with police officers chasing them and one officer swinging a baton. Another clip shows officers pinning a man to the ground after he resisted arrest. Police blocked the entrance with cars to prevent people from driving away at speed.
Officers were tipped off that the gym was welcoming fitness enthusiasts despite lockdown rules. They arrived at around 1pm and observed people inside, later issuing multiple fines. Fire escapes at the rear were found locked, prompting a referral to Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service.
Deputy Chief Constable Serena Kennedy defended the use of force, stating that officers must make split-second judgments when there is a risk of harm. The gym has been issued a Closure Notice by Liverpool City Council.
