Police arrived at a comedy club to close it down, only to find that it already was closed and had simply been streaming a re-run of a show recorded earlier in the month.

Hot Water Comedy Club in Liverpool shared CCTV footage showing a number of police arriving at the club at around 9.30pm last night. The officers ring the bell and bang on the door, but of course, there was no one around to open it, as the staff were all at home.

According to the comedy club, a member of the public had reported it for being open during the UK’s lockdown, prompting police to go down to check they were not breaching social distancing measures.

However, the club aren’t angry with police and even praised them for responding so quickly.

Sharing the clip, Hot Water Comedy Club wrote: “Tonight we streamed a show we filmed back on 7th March.

“Someone thought it was live and grassed us up to the police, who sent 12 officers a van and a car to shut us down… (fair play to the police responding so fast).”

The club has been streaming-recorded comedy nights during the lockdown.

Therednow has approached Merseyside Police for comment.

The CCTV shows that police in the UK are taking the new government rules seriously.

Earlier this week, Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the House of Commons police could hand out an unlimited fine to anyone ignoring social distancing measures.

He said: “These measures are not advice, they are rules and will be enforced, including by the police with fines starting at £30 up to unlimited fines for non-compliance.

“Home is now the front line, and in this national effort, working together, we can defeat this disease. Everyone has a part to play.”

As a result of people reporting those who aren’t complying with the rules, a number of police forces have set up special online portals and hotlines.