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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask if you've been stopped by police and asked why you're out?

275 replies

AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 28/04/2020 13:09

I've been out and about a LOT during lockdown. My reasons are legitimate (doing deliveries is the bulk of it) but that wouldn't be immediately obvious to a bystander when I'm driving around in an unbranded hatchback.

I've not been asked why I'm out of the house by a police officer even once since lockdown began, which surprises me. I live in a very urban area, and have seen plenty of them. I don't know anyone who has been stopped and asked. I'm curious to see if this is widespread.

YABU = I've been stopped by the police since lockdown began
YANBU = I haven't been stopped by the police

OP posts:

Amanduh · 28/04/2020 19:31

I have! They were stopping all cars at the retail park. Had just been to midwife appointment and pharmacy was shut, needed painkillers and heartburn liquid, all that’s on the retail park is a b&m and The Range so they were stopping everyone asking why they were there. There were still loads of people just buying plants or paint though, most people I assume just lied look

Skigal86 · 28/04/2020 19:33

A family member did, she was on her way to work in the evening and was stopped in an industrial area, the sort of place you are passing through not going to at that time of day. She said she’d seen them there since but she hasn’t been stopped again.

DramaAlpaca · 28/04/2020 19:38

I'm in Ireland. I'm staying local so haven't attracted any police attention, but DH does work which is deemed essential about 45 minutes drive from home. He got stopped twice yesterday and three times today. He carries a letter from his employer authorising him to travel to work.

likeafishneedsabike · 28/04/2020 19:52

I’m not sure that I can say I got ‘stopped’ exactly, but a police officer approached me when I was out on a bike ride with the DC. We had stopped momentarily for a drink. He was very friendly and started with ‘trying to keep healthy then?’ to the kids, but he then politely wanted to know where we lived. They were trying to discourage people from driving in order to exercise.

Celeriacacaca · 28/04/2020 19:57

@Orphlids - a bit defensive there perhaps? Not sure why you'd think you have more idea about my experience than I do but to correct you, I have had many meaningful conversations with police officers, from the lower ranks to very senior ones both professionally and personally.

The public see few enough officers in action during normal times due to cuts, and poor interactions during a crisis like this don't really inspire much confidence in their judgement - just see some of the examples above.

FairyDogMother11 · 28/04/2020 19:58

No, my Dsis has been a couple of times but I haven't. A policeman did say hello to me earlier but since I was putting my supermarket shopping in my car, I assume he had no reason to ask what I was doing!

Vintagevixen · 28/04/2020 20:04

No and I've moved twice in lockdown (had to spend two weeks with XP whilst my new house completed) within London first time, then down to the south coast. Then went up to London by train to collect DD from ex, was deserted.

espressoontap · 28/04/2020 20:17

I got stopped on a major road which is popular with caravans on their way to a certain place. Was end of March after my 12 week scan, they were pulling a few people over. Had to provide my appt letter as evidence.

zingally · 28/04/2020 20:29

Haven't even SEEN a police officer in all this time, let alone been stopped by one!

PrivateD00r · 28/04/2020 21:24

I was stopped this morning at 7.00 on my way to work. I am a midwife and was asked to show my work ID. I was surprised to see them out stopping cars that early!

Wired4sound · 28/04/2020 21:30

No but I had to drive to a friends house to drop a birthday present off for her daughter and took a pack of stunt bog roll with me In case I got stopped.

Before anyone starts I had to go to Tesco oh the way back for bread and milk.

dickensinthepark · 28/04/2020 21:32

No but I had to drive to a friends house to drop a birthday present off for her daughter

You didn't have to, you wanted to.

Wired4sound · 28/04/2020 21:37

Oh here we go

HugeAckmansWife · 28/04/2020 21:44

Dickens, it's my DDs birthday next week. I am making various trips out to get things and collect presents from a few relatives and friends. She's under 10 and I'm bolloxed if she's going to have a fucking awful birthday with no friends, no party and no presents. As has been said on many many threads, we are not in a police state and one person's 'need' is another person's 'want'. So unless you are going to go all
Catsbum mouth at anyone subsisting on more than water and home grown veg, please go away.

HugeAckmansWife · 28/04/2020 21:45

To clarify, she's not having friend or a party, just presents!

Wired4sound · 28/04/2020 21:49

@ HugeAckmansWife Absolutely!

GoatyGoatyMingeMinge · 28/04/2020 21:49

The police have no legal power of stop and account for pedestrians. They would need to have a reasonable suspicion that you were committing an offence.

Cheeseismymiddlename · 28/04/2020 21:51

We took the camper van to a petrol station to fill up. A few weeks ago now. DH uses it as his main vehicle. I went with him out of sheer boredom. A parked police car followed us for a mile after I made eye contact with the police officer who was stationary on a round about. To be fair, we live near the coast and we’re headed in that direction. He drove on when we pulled into the petrol station. We spotted him a little further up the road as we left . DH thinks he pulled in to see if we would continue towards the coast.

Truzza · 28/04/2020 21:54

Was out in my van, for weekly shop and noticed the police stopping cars
They waved me on and all other vans

MistyIsland · 28/04/2020 21:59

I haven’t been stopped, however I was followed back home by a police car after I’d been shopping, they followed me from a main road for about 15 miles into rural countryside and sat at the top of the yard entrance watching me park the car. They only moved on when I opened the boot and started taking out bags, was a nice trip around some rural lanes for them I suppose.

Yet when they were notified of a very large party at the opposite end of the village (by several residents of the village) they did fuck all!

Guess the people with second homes and shit loads of money don’t catch covid 19, but it’s ok to spread it around!

Dowser · 28/04/2020 22:08

I’ve never stopped driving.
Passed loads of police cars, never been stopped

JaceLancs · 28/04/2020 22:12

Not yet I’ve been out probably every other day either for work or shopping or collect medications
Currently doing errands for DM and NDN both 80+ so can’t always do it in one trip

endlesswashingbaskets · 28/04/2020 22:20

No, but I was just saying to a colleague at work today that I'm a bit disappointed! I've got my letter ready just in case and am wearing my id lanyard in the car. I'm normally not important at all so want my chance to flash my letter and badge and have the police doff their cap at my Key Worker status

cocklepicker · 28/04/2020 22:57

@GoatyGoatyMingeMinge you're wrong

cocklepicker · 28/04/2020 22:59

"I have had many meaningful conversations with police officers, from the lower ranks to very senior ones"

😂😂 ok

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