Just got reported to police for breaching lockdown. WIBU?!

[saylor]

For context: I have 2 toddler DC (tiny age gap!), we live in a flat and we have thus far abided by all lockdown rules, and it's been fucking hard!

This morning, at 9am (!!!!), I took DC to the park across the road and let them play in a sandpit which forms part of an un-gated playground. All the play equipment is roped off with police and hazard tape and we didn't go on the equipment, just played in the sand with buckets and spades. First time in 9 weeks and no one else was there.

After literally only being there for 5 minutes a police van pulls up and tells me I'm breaching lockdown rules, took my details, and gave me a warning. She stopped short of fining me. I apologised and started packing up the buckets and spades and older toddler had an absolute meltdown that we had to leave. The police woman took pity on me and said she was sorry she had to move us on but because someone reported me, it was her job.

So someone saw a mother and her two young children playing in the sand and decided to call the police at 9am and tell me off. This is after a bank holiday weekend of huge groups of people socialising all over the park and no one told off.

I'm livid. AIBU? Or WIBU to take my DC to the sandpit after 9 weeks of lockdown hell?

What's even more disturbing for me here is how the police rushed to the scene because "they had received a report".

Fantastic, but this is the service we hope for and perhaps expect all year round - not just during COVID-19.

Also @saylor I am so sorry you experienced this - this snitch person is the lowest - why disturb children playing? What possible joy can that bring someone?

You should have quoted the Cummings Law and got off scot free.

I do worry that this will cause children who are "told off" by the police for playing may cause a trust issue with the police, who they are supposed to feel comfortable to talk to and report things to.

My DS when he was 4 had a very negative encounter with a police officer at a fate because he ran infant of the police officer and cut him up nearly tripping him up, they were playing rounders and he was chasing the ball he didn't intend to cut the police officer up but he had his sole attention on the tennis ball, the police officer shouted at him and it was very OTT even though DS said "sorry", since then, he dismisses the police. He won't even engage with the community PCSO or any uniformed officer and just walks away from the when hey try to engage with him in a nice way or even smile at him. I have no idea how to rectify it.

I’m so sorry that’s so shit. Who are these absolute busy bodies!?

This is so sad. Some absolute busy bodies are loving this

Parks are not off limits. Where are you?

It's a snitches paradise at the moment

How will all these people who seem to have a lockdown rules hotline cope when this is all absolute joke OP .

Sad bastard who grassed you up. Absolute pitiful behaviour

Setting a paddling pool and or sand pit in the kitchen is fine, did someone seriously suggest a paddling pool in the kitchen? There is a reason paddling pools and sandpits are classed as outdoor toys.

I totally agree that the person reporting you was being not only unreasonable , but mean and vindictive. How did it affect them? You never know they could have been getting there own ear bitten by young kids, "Oh look mummy the sandpits open, can we go, can we go, but mummy" you also don't know how the person has been affected by the virus, they may have lost someone close.

The rest of the park is open, op could take her kids elsewhere.

Playgrounds are closed. Parks and beaches are not.

OP says its a major london park - so you can see why the playground and sand pit should remain shut.

This is exactly why DC should have faced repercussions. However awful a time the OP is having if everyone used the sandpit we would have issues again.

Jesus - I wouldnt like to be in the head of the sad git that “reported” your “crime” 🙄🙄

My parents modest car was vandalised so badly it was written off pre lockdown - the police weren’t even going to bother investigating 🙄🙄

Who would report that? You did nothing wrong.

I think this is really sad, a bit over the top of someone to report you.

I imagine its the sand that broke the rules...you can however take a ball or to the park, (sport with another person from your household and you cant exactly leave the other toddler) or take a picnic. I would be doing that...a lot...just to make a point. Bubbles..frisbee...push along toys...

I’ve looked up the mumsnet ‘dementor’ rules and you should be executed.

Clause 4b) states that the use of sandpit whilst in lockdown is tantamount to genocide.

Hope that’s clear.

Don’t feel bad

Parks are not off limits. Where are you?

Parks aren't, but playground are.

I'm not saying I remotely agree with whoever reported OP but they are technically right.

There is no way in hell police can stop anyone from breaking any lockdown rules now. The precedent is set. Every single time, tell them to fuck off.

How bloody pathetic, you were doing no harm. And i cannot believe the police turned up.

It’s awful they reported you but it doesn’t surprise me. Some people (bellends) are absolutely loving having a little bit of power over people at the moment.

Parks aren’t off limits

I am so sorry this happened to you and your wee ones OP. We are lucky to have a garden for the kids to get out in, I can't imagine how hard it must be. Given the scenes on beaches and in parks no wonder your livid. No way would I have called the police, I'd have walked on by and thought you were chancing your luck though not to get heckled at given the kids were playing in the sand.

*you're FFS

@vanillandhoney yes I did. Did your eqd my post where I corrected myself? Well I think the rules are bullshit so I go against them by using my commonsense in each situation I come across.

OP
Contact your MP
www.parliament.uk/get-involved/contact-your-mp/
Make them justify what the police have done
compared with what Cummings and Jenrick got away with