Police in London had to shut down several illegal raves after English pubs were allowed to re-open at the weekend.

Scotland Yard reportedly placed swathes of north-east London under dispersal orders as officers broke up a series of “unlicensed music events”.

Hackney Police overnight has put a dispersal order in place across the E5, E8 and N16 postcodes in London until 11am on Monday, July 6, due to "unlicensed music events".

Footage posted on social media showed police standing watch inside Hackney Downs park, where hundreds of people had gathered in breach of social distancing restrictions.

Crowded scenes outside pubs at the weekend and "illegal raves" after pubs and clubs re-opened on Saturday have sparked fears over a second wave of coronavirus in the UK.

Police have voiced fears that it is "crystal clear" drunk people cannot safely socially distance.

Meanwhile, the Met Police's commissioner said attacks on police officers sent to break up the illegal parties were "utterly unacceptable".

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick said the force has a "duty" to close down unlawful music events during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Her comments come after officers came under attack for a second night as they tried to disperse crowds at London street parties.

The Met said officers sent to break up a street party on Notting Hill, west London, were pelted with objects.

Dame Cressida said police were on the lookout for illegal parties after violent scenes in Brixton last week left 22 officers injured.

It was not only London affected: more than 200 people have been moved on by police after an "illegal rave" on Teesside.

Cleveland Police said the event was taking place in a wooded area near Eston on Saturday night.

Officers said the unlicensed event placed a "burden" on the NHS during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Superintendent Emily Harrison said: "This incident is unacceptable and we won't tolerate illegal raves happening in Cleveland.

"Raves like these pose potential safety concerns for those attending, they are illegal and attending such an event places an unnecessary burden on our NHS colleagues who have been working hard to try to keep us all safe during the ongoing pandemic."

Beer gardens reopen in Scotland today (July 6), while pubs in Wales will be able to open outside areas from next Monday.