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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Abigail O'Leary

Police break up footballers flouting coronavirus lockdown laws with outdoor game

A group of footballers were caught shamelessly flouting government lockdown laws to slow the spread of coronavirus as they had a match at the park.

Dozens of the players were seen at Roath Recreation Ground in Cardiff before police were called to remove them and order them to go home.

Officers drove onto the grass to break up the group.

Witnesses to the scene said they couldn't believe what they were seeing, with social media users responding to the clip with shock after it appeared online.

One witness said: "It's unbelievable really. What f***ing idiots they are.

"God knows what planet they've been on for the last however many weeks.

"They know what they're doing. I heard them while they were playing saying 'watch out for the police'."

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The group had gathered to play football in Roath, Cardiff (WALES NEWS SERVICE)

Another, who lives nearby, said: "It's scary. Really, really scary.

"How ignorant do you have to be? It's impossible to have missed the news. I'm sure they all have phones with social media.

"It's pure selfishness and it's putting vulnerable people like my parents and grandparents at risk.

"We all have a responsibility to stay inside unless absolutely necessary and if we don't respect that then the government won't have any choice but to clamp down harder on people."

South Wales Police chief constable, Matt Jukes, has previously said: “The majority of people are already making real sacrifices to save lives and we urge everyone to follow the advice that is designed to keep us all safe.

“I hope that the vast majority of our communities will recognise the need to comply with new restrictions announced by the Prime Minister based on the severity of the situation."

Police in other parts of the country have also been called to parks and public spaces were people continue to gather - despite strict measures in place to stay home and save lives.

Police were called to the park after the group were reported (WALES NEWS SERVICE)
A police van drove onto the pitch to break-up the match and tell the group to go home (WALES NEWS SERVICE)

Shoppers have also been accused of leaving home to buy good that are clearly not essential during the lockdown.

Shoppers in Stockton-on-Tees could be seen leaving B&M with a selection of non-urgent items including paint and mirrors.

In London, joggers and dog walkers crowded Battersea Park despite social distancing rules to stay at least six feet apart from one another.

A number of shops still open have implemented their own measures to ensure its customers do not further spread the contagious virus.

Many are only allowing a certain number of shoppers in at one time, while the rest have to queue outside in designated spaces, maintaining distance from each other.

On Saturday, police were called to break up a party of 25 people in Derby.

Derby Police have tweeted their shock (Raymonds/Derbyshire Police)

In a tweet, police officers in the Derby West Response Unit shared their “absolute shock” at discovering the illicit celebration on Saturday night in which 25 adults and children were gathered.

Residents were having a full on party at the Derby-based property, complete with loud speakers and karaoke, despite government orders to stay at home and not mix with anyone other than people you live with because of coronavirus.

Photos taken by the police at the party show a huge buffet of food and two music speakers stacked on top of one another.

Officers ordered everyone at the party to disperse and said they “dealt with” the hosts.

"It is clear people are still having complete disregard for the Government advice and rules,” police added.

Next week  Boris Johnson  will write to every UK household urging them to stay home, protect the NHS and save lives.

The Prime Minister will also warn that the outbreak is going to get worse before it gets better.

He will say: “From the start, we have sought to put in the right measures at the right time.

“We will not hesitate to go further if that is what the scientific and medical advice tells us we must do.

“It’s important for me to level with you. We know things will get worse before they get better.

“But we are making the right preparations, and the more we all follow the rules, the fewer lives will be lost and the sooner life can return to normal."

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