Babak Belurs

Jumat, 26 Juni 2020

Beaches will be closed if crowds ignore social distancing, Matt Hancock warns after ‘major incident’ in Bou - The Sun

HEALTH Secretary Matt Hancock has threatened to shut beaches if social distancing measures are ignored after a major incident was declared in Bournemouth yesterday.

Thousands of Brits squeezed onto the sand at Bournemouth for the hottest day of the year as temperatures reached 33.4C.

Tens of thousands of Brits squeezed onto the beach at BournemouthCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Police at Brighton beach on ThursdayCredit: London News Pictures

Police patrol the beach at Bournemouth Credit: Getty Images - Getty

Roads leading to the coast were gridlocked, cars were dumped at the roadside and tons of litter was left strewn across the popular resort.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council said it had no choice but to declare a major incident and condemned the "irresponsible" behaviour of crowds, some of whom got involved in fights.

Brighton was also packed with beach-goers crammed in like sardines as police attempted to enforce social distancing.

Mr Hancock said the government had the power to close beaches if people ignored coronavirus rules.

In an interview with TalkRadio, Mr Hancock said: "We do have that power [to close beaches]. I am reluctant to use it because people have had a pretty tough lockdown and I want everybody to enjoy the sunshine.

"But the key is to do it with respect for the rules – stay with your household, stay a good distance from other households."

But he added that if there was a spike in the number of coronavirus cases "then we will take action".

Later, speaking to the Daily Mail he urged Brits: "We musn't throw it all away. Keep to the rules or we risk going backwards."

Chief medical officer for England Professor Chris Whitty urged people to follow social distancing rules in the hot weather or risk causing a spike in coronavirus.

He wrote on Twitter: "Covid-19 has gone down due to the efforts of everyone but is still in general circulation.

"If we do not follow social distancing guidance then cases will rise again.

"Naturally people will want to enjoy the sun but we need to do so in a way that is safe for all."

Brits enjoy the sunshine as they sunbathe and play in the sea on Bournemouth beachCredit: AFP or licensors

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said the Government has the power to shut down beaches if necessaryCredit: Bournemouth News

Last night, Downing Street warned the public that failure to adhere to social distancing on beaches could risk lockdown restrictions being reimposed.

They are due to be lifted on July 4.

The Prime Minister’s spokesman said: "The PM and the Government scientific and medical advisers have stressed the great importance of the public continuing to adhere to social distancing advice.

“It’s because of the public’s hard work that we’ve been able to bring the virus under control.

"If the rules don’t continue to be followed and the virus starts to spread exponentially again then we will look at having to reverse some of the easements that we have put in place.

"I don’t think anyone in the British public would want that to happen."

A packed Bournemouth beach on the hottest day of the year so farCredit: w8media

Two local Tory MPs branded the photos of packed Brits on the beach "obscene" and warned lives were being put in danger.

They called for extra police to be drafted in from other forces, tougher fines and even roadblocks to stop a repeat.

Council leader Vikki Slade said the resort was at breaking point with services "completely overstretched" by the sheer number of day-trippers.

She fumed: "We are absolutely appalled at the scenes witnessed on our beaches, particularly at Bournemouth and Sandbanks, in the last 24-48 hours.

"The irresponsible behaviour and actions of so many people is just shocking and our services are stretched to the absolute hilt trying to keep everyone safe.

"We have had no choice now but to declare a major incident and initiate an emergency response."

She had previously pleaded with sunbathers to stay away from the sweeping beach until social distancing rules are eased next Saturday.

A staggering 558 parking fines were issued in the area - the highest on record - as sunseekers struggled to find spaces and dumped their cars.

Dorset Assistant Chief Constable Sam de Reya said she had increased patrols along the beach - adding: "These are unprecedented times.

"The declaration of a major incident allows us to bring agencies together so we can take actions available to us to safeguard the public as much as possible.

"We are also reliant on people taking personal responsibility and strongly advise members of the public to think twice before heading to the area.

"Clearly we are still in a public health crisis and such a significant volume of people heading to one area places a further strain on emergency services resources.

"We would therefore stress again that we are asking people to please stay away from the area."

Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood said he had been told by the police that about 500,000 visitors were in Dorset.

Temperatures soared to 33.4C at Heathrow Airport in west London on Thursday, making it the hottest day of the year so far.

In Brighton, police had to break up a fight on the promenade. The beach at Brighton was also packed with sun-seeking Brits.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to announce on Friday the government's plans for air bridges, which will allow Britons to go on holiday to certain destinations without needing to quarantine for 14 days on their return, the Telegraph reported.

The first of these air bridges will allow holidaymakers to travel to "low-risk" European destinations, including France, Italy, Spain, Greece and Germany, from July 4.

But they added that now incidence is lower, they can look at ways to safely provide testing "in the heart of communities", in a way that is more easy and accessible to people.

Police respond to a reports of fighting in Brighton Credit: London News Pictures

People enjoy the hot weather in Brighton - but the government has warned they will shut beaches if people don't follow social distancing rulesCredit: Reuters

Brits in Bournemouth tell The Sun why they hit the beach despite coronavirus lockdown

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2020-06-26 07:19:15Z
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Police attacked clearing crowds at illegal rave in Notting Hill - Metro.co.uk

POLICE ATTACKED BY REVELLERS AT ILLEGAL MUSIC EVENT IN NOTTING HILL — Revellers threw objects at police at an unlicensed event in Notting Hill last night (Picture: UKNIP)

Police officers were attacked at an illegal street party in west London in the early hours of this morning.

Objects were hurled at officers sent to disperse crowds at an unlicensed music event in Colville Gardens, Notting Hill, Scotland Yard said.

No serious injuries were reported, but Metropolitan Police have warned that any violence ‘will not be tolerated’.

The force tweeted: ‘Those present in area of Colville Gdns W11 dispersed by around 2am. No confirmed reports of serious injury.

‘As prev tweeted, objects were thrown at officers. Such behaviour and any violent acts will not be tolerated. However, thanks to those who co-operated + engaged with police’.

Visit our live blog for the latest updates: Coronavirus news live

Scotland Yard launched an ‘enhanced policing operation across London’ last night after reports of other unlicensed music events, block parties and raves taking place.

Commander Bas Javid: ‘We remain in a public health crisis and these unlicensed events are illegal. Our role is to keep our communities safe and this evening people can expect to see a heightened police presence out in areas where we know these events are taking place.

Police take to the London Street after losing control, Friday 26th June 2020 Following events in Overton Road, SW9 last night, there is an enhanced policing operation across London this evening, Thursday 25 June. Police say they are aware that there are further unlicensed music events, block parties and raves taking place and have put extra resources into boroughs, to work alongside local police colleagues. Officers will continue to engage with communities, and respond to emergency calls as usual. However, we will not tolerate the violence we have recently seen in London. There are additional officers in place overnight to ensure that we have an effective and prompt response to any reports of disorder. Commander Bas Javid, spokesperson said :?????We remain in a public health crisis and these unlicensed events are illegal. Our role is to keep our communities safe and this evening people can expect to see a heightened police presence out in areas where we know these events are taking place. This is in direct response to concerns expressed by our communities, many of whom were scared and shocked by the events taking place outside their homes. ???We have taken the decision to deploy these additional officers in enhanced personal protective equipment. We want to reassure communities that this is as a precautionary measure for the safety of our officers, and they will continue to engage with the communities they police. ???These officers are specially trained in public order, and may have teams from the Dog Support Unit with them. We cannot accept the levels of violence that were directed towards our officers last night, and the damage caused to public and private property. Our policing response remains under constant review, and our priority is to keep everyone ??? including our officers - safe.??? — A young woman stands near police after they took to the streets to disperse a music event (Picture: UKNIP)

‘This is in direct response to concerns expressed by our communities, many of whom were scared and shocked by the events taking place outside their homes.

‘We have taken the decision to deploy these additional officers in enhanced personal protective equipment.

‘We want to reassure communities that this is as a precautionary measure for the safety of our officers, and they will continue to engage with the communities they police.’

It comes after shocking footage of a violent street party in Brixton, south London, emerged on Thursday.

Twenty-two officers were injured and police vehicles damaged after the force tried to encourage crowds to leave but they refused.

The scenes were condemned by Home Secretary Priti Patel as ‘utterly vile’, with reports claiming she had demanded to see Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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2020-06-26 07:31:05Z
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