Extra police to stop trains exodus
EXTRA police have been deployed at train stations in a bid to stop ‘nonessential’ journeys after Londoners scrambled to leave before Tier Four restrictions came into force.
masked officers were yesterday patrolling major stations in the capital as part of the drive to curb the spread of the new variant of coronavirus.
But the chairman of the metropolitan Police Federation said it was unlikely most of the public would follow the rules because the constantly changing guidance had eaten away at general ‘goodwill’.
Health Secretary matt Hancock branded people who piled on to trains to escape the capital after the Prime minister’s announcement on Saturday ‘totally irresponsible’.
Video footage showed St Pancras train station packed with passengers desperate to get home for Christmas before the rules came into force at midnight.
‘This was clearly totally irresponsible behaviour, and the Chief medical officer was absolutely clear that people should unpack their bags if they have them packed,’ mr Hancock told Sky News.
‘it is more important than ever that people are responsible, not only stick to the rules but within the rules restrict social contact as much as is possible.’
The National Police Chiefs’ Council confirmed people leaving Tier Four areas could be fined, though officers would not be blocking roads or routinely stopping cars.
Police Scotland promised to double its presence along the english border after First minister Nicola Sturgeon announced tough lockdown measures on Saturday.
Despite the draconian restrictions, police will not be ‘knocking on people’s doors on Christmas Day,’ Ken marsh, of the metropolitan Police Federation, said.
He added: ‘i don’t think people are going to take much notice [of the new rules]. You’ve lost the goodwill of the public. They’re so frustrated.’