Police raid karaoke party as families still flout lockdown
POLICE sent day-trippers packing and broke up a karaoke party as a few “selfish and arrogant” Britons continued to flout orders to stay indoors.
Officers in Derby said they were in “absolute shock” after finding 25 people – including children – gathered together with food, alcohol and a karaoke machine.
A group from Bristol were also ordered to go home after travelling to climb a mountain in Wales.
They were trying to scale Pen Y Fan in the Brecon Beacons national park before police were forced to intervene.
Chief Constable Gareth Morgan, of Staffordshire Police, told the Daily Express some people may only realise the scale of Britain’s health emergency when someone they know is fighting for their life.
He apologised if police seemed heavy-handed as they tried to enforce Government guidance.
New powers given to forces in England mean no one should leave their home “without a reasonable excuse”.
Anyone caught flouting this could be hit with a £60 fine.
Police can break up groups of three or more and order people to go home. Yesterday Steven Mackie, 53, of Stalybridge, Greater Manchester, became the first person to be charged under the emergency measures. He is due to appear at Tameside magistrates court today.
Chief Constable Morgan said: “We are really working flat out to strike the right balance.
“I appreciate there will be some cases where we get the judgment wrong – but if we don’t get this right then I would expect the isolation to go on longer and perhaps become more restrictive.
“Tragically as the numbers inevitably go up and people increasingly know someone who is seriously unwell, then those flouting to rules might finally get it.
“But that’s the point where it’s too late – we’re trying to prevent the spread.”
However, officers in Cumbria, Cleveland, Essex and the West Midlands thanked communities for staying at home.
At the weekend police forces feared a repeat of the previous Saturday and Sunday when people flocked to beauty spots and beaches. Checkpoints were put in place near beaches and other tourist hotspots to stop people travelling there to walk their dogs or to exercise.
But police still found people were taking non-essential trips. A patrol officer in Devon stopped one camper that had been driven from Birmingham, saying on social media: “This gentleman is now on his way back to the Midlands.”
Officers and the Royal Military Police manned a vehicle checkpoint near the Catterick Garrison near the Yorkshire Dales amid fears people would flood to the beauty spot.
In North Wales, officers criticised a driver who took their child out for a driving lesson because they wanted to make the most of the quiet roads. Mr Morgan, who is self-isolating with Covid-19 symptoms, added: “We are dealing with a small number of individuals, the vast majority having now heeded the messages from mid-week.
“There are some people who are still unsure about the guidance and they may be anxious and scared.
They need to be encouraged but directed.
“But there is a minority who don’t seem willing to comply – and I would describe them as selfish and arrogant.
“They are putting themselves and others at risk, including my colleagues, and if they were to become unwell they will be a burden on the NHS which could have been avoided.” Forces in
Humberside, the West Midlands, Greater Manchester, and Avon and Somerset have all set up hotlines to report breaches of the rules.
Cleveland Police yesterday said it had issued eight fines since the new powers were introduced.
But Chief Constable Richard Lewis said: “Our relationship with communities is vital and we recognise the power of the new laws.We police with consent and will continue to apply common sense. We will beat the virus together and our relationship with you needs to endure beyond this period.”
West Midlands Police, which is covering a virus hotspot, added: “We must be further apart, but we’re coming closer together. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to everyone who is putting normal life on hold, and those continuing their work to save others.”
Cumbria Police added: “We have seen a massive improvement on last week, so thankfully the messages are being listened to.”