Britain’s police chiefs are begging millions of Britons to adhere to Boris Johnson’s coronavirus lockdown as they admit to being powerless to enforce it.
Forces across the country are understood to be confused and divided over the rules and the sweeping powers afforded by the emergency laws.
Guidance from the National Police Chiefs’ Council states people must stay at home except for medical reasons, essential shopping, or for once-daily exercise.
Police took full advantage of their new authority, using the new emergency powers within the first 12 hours of them being ratified by MPs.
However, the likes of Derbyshire and Lincolnshire – which have used drones to track and shame dog walkers before posting online – have faced charges of ‘overzealousness’ from ex-MPs, lawyers, and human-rights group.
The Times reports that the NPCC is privately displeased by some of the more excessive measures officers have taken to enforce the lockdown.
Britain’s top police are begging millions of Britons to adhere to Boris Johnson’s coronavirus lockdown as they admit to being powerless to enforce it
Britons continue to exercise in close proximity at Paddington Recreation Ground in London, despite the PM imposing an unprecedented, draconian lockdown on Monday
The National Police Chiefs’ Council’s startling plea comes as forces are confused and divided over the new rules and the emergency powers afforded to them
But NPCC boss Martin Hewitt is urging Britons to obey the rules as police chiefs admit they are powerless to prevent people from exercising more than once a day.
Deputy Chief Constable of Hampshire Sara Glen told the newspaper: ‘There is nothing in the legislation that talks about once-a-day exercise.
It talks about exercise only with a household member.’
‘The law doesn’t say once a day. The law doesn’t specify what that type of activity might be. Many people need to be out in the fresh air.
‘We don’t want everyone driving to the same area to do their exercise.
‘All we are saying is exercise on your own or with other household members, not where there are other people.’
The Lake District has been closed to prevent visitors flooding to the area, though to be the first time ever done, as police forces prepare for a busy weekend of rule-breaking
Guidance issued by the NPCC states that people are to stay at home except for medical reasons, essential supplies, or once daily for exercise
Forces took full advantage of their new authority, using the new emergency powers within the first 12 hours of them being ratified by MPs
The Times reports that the NPCC is privately displeased by some of the more excessive measures officers have taken to enforce the lockdown
NPCC boss Martin Hewitt is urging Britons to obey the rules as police chiefs admit they are powerless to prevent people from exercising more than once a day
Derbyshire Police defended its drone tactics, claiming that people were ‘finding excuses or loopholes’ not to stay at home. The likes of Big Brother Watch, though, branded the video ‘sinister’ and ‘counter-productive’.
And rights group Liberty slammed the emergency legislation, calling it ‘the biggest restriction on our individual and collective freedoms in a generation’.
Under the Health (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020, police can slap those who disobey social distancing rules and group controls with fines of at least £60.
These can rise to up to £1,000 per offence, and can even lead to prosecution.
Britons who refuse tests for the coronavirus can be detained and tried, while people who deliberately splutter over emergency workers can be jailed.
After the number of coronavirus deaths yesterday is reported to have risen by 181 yesterday, Government advisers say stricter measures could be rolled out.
Meanwhile, a drunk Norwich woman who coughed at a police officer and threatened to infect her was charged with common assault and imprisoned.
NPCC chief Mr Hewitt excoriated ‘deliberate splutterers’, adding: ‘The thought that anybody does that disgusts me and they should be dealt with very seriously.’
Deputy Chief Constable of Hampshire Sara Glen told the newspaper: ‘There is nothing in the legislation that talks about once-a-day exercise’
Derbyshire Police defended its drone tactics, claiming that people were ‘finding excuses or loopholes’ not to stay at home. Big Brother Watch called the tactics ‘sinister’
Britons who refuse tests for the coronavirus can be detained and tried, while people who deliberately splutter over emergency workers can be jailed