DON’T GO CRACKERS THIS EASTER
Police promise curbs on those who break the rule of six over this weekend
Police forces have promised to increase patrols and continue to fine those who disobey the rule of six this easter weekend – following a chaotic week of illegal raves and packed open spaces.
Revellers across Britain threw caution to the wind after Monday’s easing of restrictions but politicians and police chiefs warned that further rulebreaking will not be tolerated.
Despite the police warnings, Matt Hancock yesterday said people could enjoy day trips to areas outside their local area.
Asked if they could travel hours to the coast, the Health Secretary replied: ‘it’s oK to go for exercise, it’s perfectly reasonable.’
Hundreds of people were condemned for ‘selfishly’ attending an illegal rave in Manchester city centre on Wednesday evening.
Greater Manchester Police is investigating who was behind the mass gathering at the castlefield Bowl outdoor arena and promised to increase its presence over the Bank Holiday weekend.
labour councillor Pat Karney said the revellers were ‘letting Manchester down’ and the city’s mayor Andy Burnham added: ‘People are able to take advantage of the extra freedom that they have right now, but not to go out and leave a trail of destruction after them and have other people clean up after them.’
Meanwhile, Merseyside Police pledged to step up patrols along the coastline and banned alcohol from three of its beaches following a spike in anti- social behaviour.
Drinking has been banned at Formby, crosby and Ainsdale beaches after large groups of intoxicated youths were seen starting fires. Britain’s largest police force warned officers would be actively hunting unlicensed music events and would be deploying highly visible patrols.
Scotland Yard Deputy Assistant commissioner Jane connors added: ‘We cannot allow the selftough ish actions of a small minority of people to jeopardise the efforts of this city. We will continue to shut down house parties or dangerous raves quickly, taking enforcement action by handing out fines.
‘We make no apology for our stance on shutting down those large gatherings which pose a serious risk to public health.’ Dorset Police chief constable James Vaughan suggested some of the chaotic scenes were due to the ‘slightly vague’ rules about staying local.
He said: ‘like the travel guidance throughout the pandemic, it is slightly vague… it is very difficult to enforce because there are no regulations behind it.’
chief Superintendent Paul Griffiths, chairman of the Police Superintendents’ Association, said: ‘i think our appeal and our communications haven’ t changed… and where there are blatant breaches which will risk transmission of the disease then i think there will be a police response and enforcement.’ National Police chiefs council chairman Martin Hewitt said bad behaviour jeopardised the roadmap out of lockdown.
He added: ‘ The public has responded brilliantly over the last year [but] unfortunately, we are still having to break up parties in gardens where people have got 20, 30 people having a BBQ with music and apart from breaking the law, it is just dangerous.
‘i do think the rules are pretty clear and this change in the rules we’ve known about for some time. So we’ll explain the rules, we’ll encourage people to follow them and if people don’t then we will move to enforce them as we have done throughout the pandemic.’
‘No apology for our tough stance’