Sunshine no excuse for ignoring lockdown, police chiefs warn
An urgent call has been issued for people to stop breaching coronavirus rules after police were called to groups congregating in the sun.
Blue skies and sunshine brought out walkers over the weekend, but some people took advantage and officers had to stop people breaching Covid regulations by travelling to beauty spots and gathering with others.
A road near the Clent Hills had to be closed by officers after the sunnier weather brought a surge of visitors to the area, while police were patrolling Cannock Chase in marked and unmarked vehicles to ensure lockdown rules were adhered to.
The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, David Jamieson, said: “The recent sunny weather has encouraged many people to leave their homes and head to the nearest park or green space.
“Thousands of fines have already been handed out in our region by police and officers will continue to hand out more if people flout the law.
“What might feel like an innocent picnic with friends on a sunny afternoon could lead to the loss of a life in the weeks ahead as the virus spreads between groups.”
Staffordshire Police has appealed to residents not to break the rules and travel far from home to beauty spots as officers had to deal with a number of reports in recent days.
A spokesman for the force said: "We have received a number of calls about people congregating in outdoor spaces to meet up or exercise and we have attended a number of these reported incidents across the county this weekend.
"We understand that the continuing lockdown measures have had an impact on people’s mental health and wellbeing, especially those without access to gardens.
"However, it is so important that we all continue to work together and continue to follow the government guidelines for the safety of ourselves, our friends and our families.
"The warmer weather is bound to tempt people out to many of our beauty spots, such as Cannock Chase and the Moorlands, but we urge people not to breach the rules and travel significant distances when we all must do our upmost to stay local.
"Please be considerate, stay safe, stay local and help save lives."
