Hundreds of people pack together by the Cutty Sark in London despite strict lockdown rules 

More than 500 lockdown-defying Londoners gathered along the River Thames for an impromptu party in breach of strict social distancing rules. 

Furious passersby shared images of the huge crowd gathering in near the history Cutty Sark ship in Greenwich this evening, as some angry locals claimed a make-shift Christmas market had popped up.

Mask-free revellers defying social distancing rules were seen watching a busker playing a guitar. Some even brought crates of beer with them – clearly intending to party late into the night. 

Under the country’s second lockdown – which began on November 5 –  outdoor social gatherings are banned.

A huge crowd of lockdown-defying Londoners have gathered along the River Thames in Greenwich despite the nation-wide second lockdown (pictured)

Furious passersby said up to 400 people gathered in Greenwich (some pictured)  this evening, as some angry locals claimed a make-shift Christmas market had popped up

Two members of different households are permitted to meet outdoors, but two-metre social distancing rules must be abided by.

In footage taken at the scene, a group can be heard singing loudly to Wonderwall by Oasis 

Onlookers said police arrived at the scene at around 7pm and told the musician to stop playing before urging crowds to disperse.

There were still some stranglers remaining at 7.30pm. 

Londoners shared images of the gathering to Twitter, with one writing: ‘Can’t believe it’s in lockdown. People gathering aside the river and singing. There’s even a Christmas market beside Cutty sark.’

Another passerby wrote: ‘How can there possibly be a Christmas market tonight with hundreds of people gathering without masks or keeping distance around the Cutty Sark during a nation-wide lockdown? So unresposible!’

Pictures showed mask-free revellers defying social distancing rules as they sang along to music in Greenwich

A Met Police spokesperson said: ‘Police were informed of a takeaway food market operating at the Cutty Sark in Greenwich SE10 on the evening of Saturday, 21 November. Officers attended.

‘The stalls have closed and officers are engaging with those present to encourage them to disperse.

‘There have been no arrests.’

Meanwhile, in Wandsworth, images of crowds of people drinking while standing in crowds outdoors were shared to Twitter. 

Yuning Zhang said the revellers were ‘drinking in large groups of presumbly multiple household’.

Met Police said ‘local officers have been made aware of the incident’ in reply to her post.

The masts of the historic British ship the Cutty Sark can be seen illuminated in the background in Greenwich

Another passerby wrote: ‘How can there possibly be a Christmas market tonight with hundreds of people gathering without masks or keeping distance around the Cutty Sark during a nation-wide lockdown? So unresposible!’

A spokesperson later added: ‘Police received reports of people gathered outside bars and restaurants on Battersea Rise on the evening of Saturday, 21 November.

‘The venues have since stopped serving and those in attendance have dispersed.

‘There have been no arrests.’