Shocking photographs show the moment police stumbled upon a group of friends sharing a picnic and shisha despite the government urging people to stay at home to stop the spread of coronavirus.
Eight people were found chomping away on kebabs at Snake Pass in the Peak District on Thursday by horrified officers.
The individuals had travelled hundreds of miles from Manchester, Sheffield and Ipswich to meet, police said – who gave them a stern warning and sent them home.
Derbyshire Constabulary released the images as a warning and reminder to others that they must ‘stay at home’, in line with government advice.
A force spokesman said the group were ‘dispersed with no resistance’ and reminded that they had not been practicing ‘social distancing’.
Eight people were found chomping away on kebabs at Snake Pass in the Peak District on Thursday by horrified officers
Derbyshire Constabulary released the images as a warning and reminder to others that they must ‘stay at home’, in line with government advice
The individuals had travelled hundreds of miles from Manchester, Sheffield and Ipswich to meet, police said – who gave them a stern warning and sent them home
There has been an increased police presence at national parks this week as warm weather has seen people people flock to the countryside.
It comes as Britain’s coronavirus death toll surged by 181 yesterday as Government advisers warned that even stricter social distancing measures could be on the way. It is by far the biggest daily increase and means the disease has claimed 759 lives, including young and previously healthy people.
Government advisers said stricter social distancing policies may have to be rolled out next month if the grim figures continued to rise. The measures would be introduced in three weeks as the outbreak reached its peak to further reduce ‘person-to-person interaction’.
Yesterday’s figures show that London hospitals recorded the highest number of new deaths at 54, followed by West Midlands hospitals with 19. But these numbers do not include patients who die at home or in care homes, meaning the true number may be higher.
A senior government adviser suggested the figures would continue to rise for at least the next three weeks, meaning the peak is likely to hit at Easter. The adviser said hospitals ‘should be OK’, but admitted ‘we can’t guarantee it’ and stressed some intensive care units may struggle to cope.
Members of the public exercising closely with a personal trainer at Paddington Recreation Ground in London, during a lockdown over the spread of COVID-19. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that people should only leave their homes for essential work, groceries, medical necessity and exercise
People exercise in the early morning sun at Hyde Park in central London, during a lockdown over the spread of COVID-19
The Lake District (pictured today) has been closed to prevent visitors flooding to the area, thought to be the first time ever done, as the nationwide lockdown continues due to the coronavirus outbreak
And should the number of deaths rise significantly, ‘greater enforcement’ of social distancing policies would have to be introduced. This would include ‘anything that can be done to push it (down) further’ and prevent people catching the disease.
Doctors and nurses have begged people to stay indoors during the coronavirus pandemic, pleading with people to stay at home and save lives.
But sun-seekers were seemingly oblivious today as they soaked up the rays in Southsea, Bournemouth and Somerset.
The Prime Minister has stressed that unless you are a key worker or helping someone vulnerable, the only reasons to go outside are to go shopping for essentials, exercise once a day or fulfil any medical needs.
Police up and down the country exercise their new powers to enforce the coronavirus lockdown – stopping people having picnics and dog walkers in the Peak District by chasing them with drones.
A runner passes a hand-painted sign telling would-be walkers to stay at home, attached to a roadsign in Bamford, Derbyshire. The Peak District village is popular with walkers
Police officers speak to a man sitting down in Princess Gardens in the centre of Manchester
Police chiefs are encouraging Britons to snitch on neighbours suspected of breaching Boris Johnson’s coronavirus lockdown.
Humberside Police have created a ‘hotline’ where people can submit tip-offs if they flout social distancing rules, including gatherings of more than two people.
West Midlands, Greater Manchester, and Avon and Somerset have also established online forums for ‘snoopers’ keen to punish rule-breakers.
The portals have been made in response to an increase in the number of calls to the non-emergency 101 number since Monday.
Despite this, forces yesterday were facing accusations of being overzealous as they use the sweeping new powers to crack down on people flouting the rules, using road blocks, drones and helicopters to enforce it.
Officers have already issued fines less than 24 hours after new laws were brought into force, the National Police Chiefs’ Council has said.
Those who ignore the tougher restrictions on movement could be hit with a £60 fine initially – reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days – and another for £120 for a second offence. But fines could reach £1,000-plus for repeat offenders.