Actions were wrong, legally and morally

THE actions of Derbyshire Constabulary in stopping and fining the two young women who were visiting Foremark Reservoir last Wednesday were wrong both morally and legally.

There is no law in this country prohibiting driving a few miles in order to go for a walk. Even if the young women in question had driven further, the rules about the application of these draconian laws that have been inflicted on us recently state clearly that the police are supposed to “advise or warn“alleged first-time offenders, not immediately issue a fine.

The chances of two adults, travelling in separate cars, walking in the open air, while keeping their distance from one another, actually transmitting Covid-19, must be infinitesimally small, much less than when someone visits a supermarket or any other indoor venue.

Where is good sense, balance and proportionality here? Gone out of the window it would appear to me.

Anyone reading the Derby Telegraph in the last year will be well aware that there has been a steady stream of serious crimes in this county during 2020, including murder, robberies, serious assaults, rapes and multiple incidents of arson. Surely the police should be prioritising the further investigation of these, rather than indulging in this gratuitous bullying and controlfreakery? Why on earth was it thought appropriate to waste the time of no less than seven police officers with this sort of thing?

The police depend on the support of the law-abiding majority to perform their work effectively. In my opinion Derbyshire Constabulary are in serious danger of forfeiting this trust.

Philip Aitchison, Kirk Langley