Is this right? (Lockdown rules)

[WalkingToHelpMyself]

We haven’t been out since Thursday (Our school closed on Friday due to staff shortages), it’s just me and a 5 year old at home.

We walked around the block, literally. DC is not safe on their own due to a mobility problem, they usually use a SN pushchair but can walk and as I only planned a 20 minute walk around the block I held their hand as we walked.

I got stopped by the police and told that DC needs to either be left home (with who I don’t know as I am a single parent, DC only sees their dad for a couple of hours a month) or if they must be outside they have to walk 2 metres in front of me.

I explained that it was our first time out, I’m a single parent living with just this DC and that they had a mobility issue so needed me to hold their hand to prevent falling. If they fall they could fracture their hip, I don’t want to put anymore pressure on the NHS as it is, plus there’s no guarentees I’d be able to stay with DC if they ended up in hospital given the situation so I didn’t want to risk it.

The police said I need to follow the rules or not go out.

I can’t not exercise. I was literally planning a walk around the block with my DC, it’s very obvious when you see them walking they have an issue. I planned to do this once a week, for 20-30 minutes only.

I have arranged online deliveries for my food so don’t need to go out for that and the class that my DC is in has a whatsapp group which is busy atm so I have adult company. I literally wanted a walk.

But it appears I can’t do that and keep my DC safe. I usually use the pushchair if we’re walking a lot and she’s likely to get tired, a 20 minute walk would not tire her out and would actually improve her mobility going forwards to walk.

Is this right? And does anyone know what the rules would be if I decided to use the pushchair with DC instead?

This is scary, hope your OK op.

What chances do we have if police can't follow basic guidance.

How utterly pig stupid.

Arguing with the police when you are telling you to stop doing something is always a bad idea,
but especially in this emergency

A printout won't help you
Best to do as you are told and grind your teeth when you know they are wrong

I can see the reasoning behind stopping a group of young men as it’s not obvious that they live in the same house.
However you clearly do live in the same house as your child and are likely to be physically close to them throughout the day. What would be the point in them being 2m from you outside?

I would carry on as you are op but next time you go out take pen and paper and if challenged in that way again take down police officers number and make complaint.

Yay, police bashing thread

@crustycrab

The police are not saints- it is right that they are subject to scrutiny from the people paying their wages. It is a fact that many police officers are power-hungry, so it is essential that their use of these powers is closely monitored.

Walking. Perhaps screenshot the page and have it ready. And please if it's quiet do this daily. I also have a child with mobility issues and he needs to keep up the walking or the outcomes further along the line will be worse.

I have to say after an incident last year with a young off duty officer in a camping shop over permitted multitool features- long story but it was a pair of folding pliers with a 2 inch locking blade to replace my broken swiss army knife and enclosed in one of those impossible to open rigid plastic packets - my opinion of some young coppers has slipped quite a few notches. Half of them seem to be jobsworths with no common sense or discretion....... and for the record, I strongly support the police as they have a bit of a crap job at the best of times, but.......

Of course its rubbish. You live in the same house so are allowed to be closer than 2m

Arguing with the police when you are telling you to stop doing something is always a bad idea, but especially in this emergency

I didn't argue, I calmly explained what I was doing and went home anyway when told that I needed to.

People with autism sld disabilities and young children cannot be 2 m away for safety.
Just politely explain
Maybe an email to local police and to Contact or Scope so those organisations can raise it thru their channels

Was this a police officer or a pcso?

@StormyClouds yeah. By the correct monitoring bodies. Not MN.

Jeez what hope have we got if even the police don't know the rules?

Yeah that's wrong , i May screenshot the rules on my phone next time I go for a walk with my dc . I'm all for the police enforcing the rules but if your from the same household it's fine .