Long arm of the law keeps people at bay

POLICE have reiterated their appeal for people to stay away from parks and beaches as lockdown Britain prepared for its hottest day of the year.

It came as significant numbers ignored advice and crammed into many of London’s public spaces yesterday.

People were seen exercising in close proximity in the capital’s Greenwich Park, while in Victoria Park – closed because of the virus – locals took to the pavements outside.

Forces across the country have been told to get tough on gatherings at all beauty spots and beaches today and the Government launched a poster campaign backing the message.

Devon and Cornwall’s chief constable, Shaun Sawyer, said he hoped his officers would not need to fine people.

He added: “If a £60 ticket makes you do something and hundreds of people dying yesterday didn’t, then I think you’ve got to take a good look at yourself.”

Authorities inwales closed beach-side car parks to deter people from “using the weather to treat a national crisis like a national holiday”.

Gloucestershire Police will also be patrolling main roads into the south-west and turning away anyone who appears to be going on holiday for Easter.

Meanwhile, officers were bracing themselves for a rise in domestic violence during the lockdown, after China reported offences had tripled during its shutdown.

Alan Smith, 71, is believed to have stabbed his wife to death before killing himself while struggling, an inquest heard.

He was discovered dead near wife, Elsie, 71, in their home near Cambridge on Wednesday, March 25.

Neighbours said he had been worried about running out of food and medication.