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Daily Record
Daily Record
World
Rory Cassidy

'It's not a holiday - it's a lockdown' Police clear sunbathers from park in coronavirus crackdown

This is the moment police chase people away from a busy park amid the coronavirus pandemic while saying: "It's not a holiday - it's a lockdown."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson had said parks would remain open during the crisis so people could exercise.

But earlier today officers from the Metropolitan Police were filmed clearing crowds from Shepherd's Bush Green in London - and ordering them to go home.

In a 33-second clip, which was shared on Twitter, the officers can be heard saying: "Guys, you can't stay on the green, can you all go home?

"Can you all go home, please? It's not a holiday.

"It's a lockdown, which means you don't just come here and sunbathe - can you please just leave?

"The government has a lockdown in force, can you please get off the green - go home."

A Met Police van was filmed at the scene, as a policeman walks across the grass, waving his arms in the air and shouting: "Go home!"

Around 20 people can be seen in the video, which has been viewed more than 115,000 times.

The officers' conduct has been both hailed and ridiculed by Twitter users, with some seeing it as a warranted response given the measures introduced to stop the spread of the deadly COVID-19 strain.

Graeme Barbour said: "And yet when even further stringent measure are introduced these type of people will be the first to moan that we live in a police state etc. Good on you @metpoliceuk, thanks for all you do."

David McFarlane posted: "These officers are having to move idiots, when they could be more resourceful elsewhere. Our emergency services are under enough pressure just now, without additional unnecessary work."

But others see it as over the top policing, given the Prime Minister's guidance on exercising and going to parks.

Officers clear people sitting enjoying the sunshine in Shepherd's Bush Green in London (Police)

 

BIOME said: "Whilst it’s pretty dumb them being so naive. The governments advice was go out once a day to exercise or to a park and stay 2 metres apart which is what these people are doing. They need to be strong and clear on their guidelines or this will carry on until the army is deployed."

While CNFPF posted: "Far More people working inside on construction sites. This country’s a joke." Another added: "Judging by the distance between the few that were there it looks like a classic case of social distancing to me."

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