Drinkers barricade themselves in UK pub after police arrive

Police in the UK were pelted with beer as a group of revellers defied lockdown laws and barricaded themselves inside a pub.

More than 100 people reportedly attended the illegal gathering at the Britannia Hotel Pub in Vauxhall, Liverpool, although it's believed only a small proportion took part in the blockade, the Independent reports.

Eight people were arrested by police and the pub's licence was surrendered as a result of the incident, Merseyside Police said in a statement.

"This is appalling behaviour and saddens me to see officers being put at risk from those flouting government guidelines. Restrictions have been eased but by no means is this pandemic over and nor should we treat it like it is," Detective Inspector Phil Atkinson said.

"Regardless of the current climate, throwing things at officers will never be accepted. Eight people were arrested and prosecution is likely.

"If government advice had been followed, we wouldn't have had to attend this gathering and our resources could have been better used elsewhere."

Pubs in the UK have been closed for the past three months in a bid to halt the spread of the coronavirus.

However, the UK government is predicted to relax some of the restrictions relating to pubs on July 4.