Family on sledging trip despite police warning and Tier 4 restrictions
OFFICERS HAD TO RESCUE PEOPLE FROM THE AREA
THIS picture shows two children being taken sledging in the Derbyshire Peak District despite a weather warning, Tier 4 lockdown and advice from Derbyshire police to stay away.
An individual and two young children can be seen on the Cat and Fiddle webcam on Sunday morning, seemingly about to cross the notoriously dangerous A537 road.
Officers from Derbyshire police were frustrated that at the weekend, its officers and members of volunteer mountain rescue teams had to risk their own safety to help people who got stranded, lost or injured in the Peaks.
Hundreds of “snow tourists” travelled to north Derbyshire at weekend, prompting police to remind people that these trips create “serious issues” for the force, are likely to break Tier 4 restrictions and that the areas are potentially dangerous.
Derbyshire Constabulary said: “The Tier 4 guidance is clear – you should stay at home wherever possible.
“The country is currently experiencing a surge in infections and, as with many other areas of the country, Derbyshire is currently in Tier 4 restrictions due to the increasing spread of Covid19 and the pressures placed on local NHS services.”
They noted that travellers to Goyt Valley and Snake Pass, one of the nation’s most treacherous roads, were unlikely to be local and that their journeys created problems for officers.
“Heavy snowfall in this area is not uncommon and had been forecast well in advance,” said the police spokesperson. While the Peak District is extremely accessible and very well used, it is also a potentially dangerous place for those who are unprepared for it.
“Dozens of vehicles were left stranded, requiring officers to spend hours risking their own safety in order to rescue people trapped across the area.
“It also put extra pressure on the volunteer Mountain Rescue teams who were called out on multiple occasions to people lost or injured in the Peaks.
“While the area may not be the Alps if not properly respected it can be a dangerous place to be.”
They stressed that Tier 4 guidance is important to follow and issued the following advice:
“If you need to travel you should stay local – meaning avoiding travelling outside of your village, town or the part of a city where you live – and look to reduce the number of journeys you make overall.
“Outdoor recreation or exercise should be done locally wherever possible, but you can travel a short distance within your Tier 4 area to do so if necessary - for example, to access an open space.”