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People are cautioned not to gather in large numbers for a “holiday weekend” in hot weather before stricter coronavirus rules go into effect on Monday.
With temperatures well above 20, the chairman of the body representing police officers said he feared that “alcohol and hot weather” could combine for the next 48 hours before the “rule of six” restrictions take effect.
And his warning came when police in Manchester, where a local lockdown has been in effect since July 30, said they broke up a house party of 30 people in the early hours of this morning.
A ‘quarantine rave’ interrupted by police in Manchester in June
After much criticism of the new restrictions, Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove has insisted that the “rule of six” was clear and denied that it is potentially confusing, telling Sky News: “No I believe it.
“I recognize that there are many questions out there. I think it is a fairly simple message. It is well understood and generates the confidence of the public.”
He added: “But when it comes to socializing … then there must be an element of self-discipline.”
While the meetings of more than six people will no longer be allowed in England from Monday, a total ban on households mixing Birmingham, Sandwell and Solihull It will not be imposed until Tuesday.
The strictest restrictions were announced as the number of infections skyrocketed across the UK, and now cases are believed to double every eight days.
And John Apter from the Police Federation of England and Wales said: “There is a real risk that some members of the public will take advantage of the current situation and treat this weekend as a weekend of partying before restrictions. stricter to be introduced on Monday.
Drinkers in a bar near London Bridge on Friday
“Alcohol and hot weather are not a good combination at best. Using the current situation as an opportunity and an excuse to party would be incredibly irresponsible and would put pressure not only on the police, but potentially on the ambulance service and the NHS “.
“We are in the grip of a deadly pandemic and have seen cases on the rise in recent weeks.
“The police are under pressure like never before, but my colleagues will issue compliance notices if they deem it appropriate, and we do not apologize for doing so.”
Police break up big party in Birmingham during August
The police who broke up the party at the house in Manchester, meanwhile, said: “The occupant claimed he did not know there was COVID-19 restraints in place and couldn’t see what the problem was.
“People dispersed and a fixed penalty notice was issued.”
Ken Marsh, president of the Metropolitan Police Federation, has expressed similar concerns.
“We will have to monitor it carefully,” he told Sky News.
“The weather is going to be nice, which doesn’t help in this kind of situation, which tends to get people moving. But I hope people are sensible.”
And Brian Booth, president of the West Yorkshire Police Federation, told Sky News that illegal raves were a “huge concern” this weekend.
“They are getting out of control, we have several cases every weekend of these illegal raves,” he said.
“We try to get in quickly and deal with them, but we can’t stop them all.”
