People should not be hounded by police for driving a "resasonable distance" to go for a walk during Britain's coronavirus lockdown.
Forces across the country have been told not to criminalise those who who are behaving sensibly in the lockdown after a backlash about how police were handling their new powers.
Guidance, reissued in the wake of the backlashes stresses to officers that they should focus on dissent.
Home Office sources confirmed to the Mirror that the Government has urged forces to "be sensible" in interpreting the rules as they fear stories of certain forces enforcing the rules in a draconian way could undermine support for the lockdown measures when they are most needed.
Police were given wide-ranging powers to enforce the lockdown - including the ability to issue fixed penalty notices for those breaking the rules.
But forces have taken to social media to brag about bizarre issues that have seen them stop people.
This included forces posting videos of people walking recorded with a drone and another force saying it had issued a fine because someone has bought a "non-essential" item from a shop.
Downing St has confirmed that shops allowed to remain open can sell whatever they want that on their stock list.
People have been asked to the only exercise once a day.
But in the briefing from police leaders, no limit is stated as to how many times people can exercise, with the guidance to officers saying valid excuses to be outside include “to take exercise alone or with other members of their household”.
According to The Guardian, the guidance states: “The coronavirus act and coronavirus regulations do not explicitly confer any powers on police officers to stop vehicles.
“Use your judgment and common sense; for example, people will want to exercise locally and may need to travel to do so, we don’t want the public sanctioned for travelling a reasonable distance to exercise. Road checks on every vehicle is equally disproportionate."
“We should reserve enforcement only for individuals who have not responded to engage, explain, and encourage, where public health is at risk."
Yesterday, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps admitted there were “teething problems” but claimed it was simply “the police trying to work out which is the most effective approach”.
It came after former Supreme Court Justice Lord Sumption said that Britain risked turning into a "police state" if forces weren't told the limits of what they could and could not stop people doing.
Among the forces who have been criticised are Derbyshire police – use dye to change the colour of a local beauty spot and posted a video on their social media where they appeared to use a drone to carry out surveillance of people out for a walk.
Senior police officers have also stepped into the debate with Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner Neil Basu urging officers not to be "overzealous" in their use of the powers.
Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Mr Basu acknowledged forces were being compelled to use powers he "never imagined a British police officer would be asked to use".
"Everyone in policing is acutely aware that how we police this pandemic will be remembered for many years to come," he said.
"Preserving the trust and confidence of the public by policing by consent is our mantra, and has been since 1829.
"There will be a period of readjustment to our new responsibilities, which no police officer ever thought they would have.
"Not every police response will be surefooted and some will spark healthy debate. We should not judge too harshly."
Lord Sumption singled out the Derbyshire force in his criticism.
“The behaviour of the Derbyshire police in trying to shame people in using their undoubted right to take exercise in the country and wrecking beauty spots in the fells so people don’t want to go there is frankly disgraceful,” he said.
“This is what a police state is like, it is a state in which a government can issue orders or express preferences with no legal authority and the police will enforce ministers’ wishes.
A spokesperson for the NPCC said: “The vast majority of people are fully complying with the guidance and advice. For the small number who are not we will use enforcement. Given the rapid pace of development forces do not have paperwork specific to the coronavirus regulations.
“Officers are issuing the fines using existing paperwork or statements. All fines issued are legally enforceable and non-payment will result in prosecution.”
