Frustrated police admit they can’t stop people packing out parks and beaches during lockdown – the Irish Sun

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FRUSTRATED cops have hit out at Brits who broke the lockdown to eat pizzas and drink beer in parks despite Boris Johnson’s pleas to stay home.

One police force admitted they were “losing the battle” and couldn’t stop people packing out green spaces and beaches in the balmy heat.

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Police were left struggling on Saturday as hordes of people descended on beaches and green spaces to enjoy the balmy continental weather.

In the capital, people flocked to parks to drink wine and eat pizza.

Hackney Police tweeted: “Sadly we’re fighting a losing battle in the parks today.

“Literally hundreds of people sitting having pizza, beers, wines.

“As always a big thank you to those that are observing the guidelines #StayHomeSaveLives #ProtectOurNHS #lockdownuk”.

The Force in Lewisham also slammed Londoners failing to social distance over the weekend.

They tweeted: “You may feel like you’re #SocialDistancing but you’re really not.

“Putting each other at risk is really not what we need. 30-40 in the street drinking and dancing is not on.”

It comes after Lambeth Council were forced to close Brockwell Park in Brixton last month after hundreds of Brits headed to the green space to sunbathe.

Dozens of cyclists were also seen across the streets of the capital – clumped in bunches as they waited at the lights outside Westminster.

Similar scenes were reported in Manchester, with Heaton Park flooded with people sunbathing and having BBQs.

One eye-witness told the Manchester Evening News: “It was busier than I expected.

“A lot of people were just walking through but quite a few were having a picnic which, obviously, you’re not supposed to do.”

Meanwhile, a police checkpoint turned away cars trying to get into Brighton as bored families broke the coronavirus lockdown.

Locals cheered as tourists were turned away, voicing their support for police efforts to maintain social distancing by keeping visitors out of the city over the Bank Holiday weekend.

And even before 11am, cops had issued 12 fines and turned around 19 cars after stopping around 65.

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One car was turned back more than 100miles to Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “It’s not a dedicated coronavirus stop-check, but as part of the routine stop-check, we are asking people why they are here, where they are going and turning them around if they do not have a purpose. “

Families flocked to the beach on Saturday to make the most of the sunny weather – just a day after the Coastguard revealed it had the highest number of call-outs on Friday since lockdown began.

It recorded 97 incidents – 54 per cent more than the 63 reports last month.

Matt Leat, duty commander with the Coastguard, said: “People are ignoring the measures put into place by the Government.

“I completely understand that the weather and the bank holiday coupled with the fact that we’ve been in this lockdown situation for just over six weeks has tempted people out to our beautiful coasts. However, as the Government said only yesterday, it’s really vital that we all continue to observe the guidance. “

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Cooped-up Brits already cracked yesterday – heading to parks and getting on their bikes to soak up the summer sun as St James’s Park in central London recorded 24.3C (75.7F) on Friday.

Brits were warned not to break the lockdown rules during in VE Day celebrations and not to sunbathe in parks over the weekend or “modest and small” new freedoms could be stopped.

Boris will unveil his plan to take the UK out of lockdown on Sunday evening – with the reopening of garden centers expected to be among the measures.

The PM will also relax rules on exercising to allow unlimited walks, runs or cycles.

Meanwhile, cops are complaining that they are the “villains of the pandemic” as they prepare to crack down on Brits flouting social-distancing rules over the long weekend.

One told The Times: “There is a certain amount of trepidation and frustration ahead of the weekend.

“We have always said we need a clear and consistent message from government to the public but there is now a view that things are being relaxed. A lot of people seem to have decided that it is all over.

“We are being asked to enforce the lockdown and we are going to be painted as villains once again when we stop people enjoying the sunshine and having VE Day parties with their neighbors.”

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