Northamptonshire Police chief Nick Adderley warned anyone found to flouting social distancing regulation amid the coronavirus pandemic will be arrested.
The coronavirus pandemic forced the British Government to issue strict advice and regulation on social distancing to slow down the spread of the virus. Despite calls for Britons to stay home, many have rushed to parks and gardens in the past week to take their allotted daily walk outside. But Northamptonshire Police Chief Nick Adderley warned those found to be flouting the rules could be arrested and find themselves with a criminal record.
Asked whether his officers would be ready to arrest someone for sunbathing or gathering in large groups in public, Mr Adderley said: “Yes, it’s an option.
“What I’m saying is we’ve got to get really serious with this, people are dying every day.”
Police forces across the UK have come under fire in the past few weeks after issuing several warnings against going outside or walking too far away from their homes.
According to the lockdown regulation Prime Minister Boris Johnson issued nearly three weeks ago, Britons are currently allowed to be outside under a limited number of scenarios.
Essential workers and those who cannot work from home are authorised to move around, as are those heading out to buy essential supplies or do one form of daily exercise.
People are also allowed to be outside in an emergency or if they are providing support to a vulnerable person.
Claims have emerged of some police officers being overzealous in ensuring Britons follow lockdown rules but a recent YouGov survey found a large number of people are supportive of how the police are handling the situation.
The poll of 1,646 British adults conducted between April 3 and 5 found that 42 percent of respondents “fully support the approach taken by the police.”
Chief constable Adderley also said his officers had “stepped things up” in their region and said they want to “hone in on” the small minority who still attempts to bypass lockdown regulation.
Mr Adderley continued: “We’ve given the public three weeks to get used to this, this is a massive change in their lifestyle and how they operate,” he said.
“We worked on the basis of engagement and information and from today I’m being really clear that if people continue to flout the law that they will be fined and, if appropriate, they will be arrested.
“The vast vast majority here in Northamptonshire – and I hear from colleagues across the country – are abiding by the law. To those people, I say thank you.
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