Police are pulling over loads of cars in my local town

[VivaLeBeaver]

Stopping people and asking them where they’re going, is it essential, etc. Glad they’re taking it seriously.

And not local to me, but saw this “ticket” on fb. So police saying you can’t drive somewhere to exercise. I know that was being discussed earlier.

I suppose they are allowed to do this? There's no legislation, so I suppose it's a local interpretation? I think it's just advisory, they can't arrest you for driving to a deserted area to walk, or to shop.

Isnt that ticket from new zealand

I think they are on complete lockdown ,i think it may get stricter here

There is new emergency legislation that comes into force today.

@goldpartyhat

The legislation passed through parliament was deliberately left vague to stop people bending the rules and so police can use their discretion.

Even if they don't fine you, at the very least expect the police to pull you over and tell you to go home unless it is an ESSENTIAL journey.

We were all issued with ID cards for our lanyards at school the other day and told to keep a copy of our payslips as proof of work on us when commuting.

it does say avon and somerset uk on the email address on the bottom.

This is the issue with giving more powers to individuals who are often power-hungry and aggressive as it is.

Nowhere in the government guidance does it say that driving for exercise in a safer location is not acceptable, yet here we have at least one jumped-up police force decreeing it is.

Many police will be loving this as an opportunity to flex their muscles and intimidate people. I'd say to everyone who suffers from this- report to your MP and the Independent Office for Police Conduct for investigation. Every time.

Nowhere in the government guidance does it say that driving for exercise in a safer location is not acceptable, yet here we have at least one jumped-up police force decreeing it is.

The Government say you can exercise by "walking, cycling or running."

SYPD must think it's the Miners Strike all over again.

I would have thought for those in densely populated areas, driving somewhere quiet to exercise would be less risky. There's a big difference between someone deciding to drive miles to a tourist hot spot to exercise, and eg the handful of people driving from the nearest town to use the footpaths here. I think the closest encounter I've seen was two people passing approximately 20m apart. Which then means less people trying to use the spaces in the town.

Wellington is in Avon and Somerset. I don't know the area but a quick Google shows it may have a lot of parks/hills/outdoor recreation that is probably attracting a large number of people. If the police are PNC checking vehicles and finding they are from out of area, they may well be leaving a polite note!

I’m in Taunton and that was shared on our town FB too.

There are lots of places around here that people go to and park up and go for walks etc.

I think it’s sensible to warn them. It’s not essential.

The message is no unnecessary travel. It’s not just about maintaining social distance. It’s reducing the risks of accidents etc which puts more strain on the nhs. Local hospital is struggling as it is and put out a call last night for eye protection wear.

I used to live in Wellington. They're pretty proactive, considering the police station isn't manned most of the time. It's very rural with lots of hills, woods and moors nearby (Blackdown Hills and Sampford Moor) that are popular with walkers, dog owners and horse riders.

didnt see any police this morning neither walking nor in a car i hope theyre concentrating on parks and open spaces

SYPD must think it's the Miners Strike all over again.

SYPD
What's that?

Are you always this paranoid StormyClouds?
The reason that the police have the jurisdiction to stop people is because so many people are behaving like arseholes. The local skate park has been full of people behaving like there is no pandemic.

SYPD must think it's the Miners Strike all over again

I live in South Yorkshire. See above. And no, they aren't behaving like it is the miner's strike again

The more people driving when they dont need to the more chance of accidents which take emergency staff away from where theyre needed .

I live in the SW and the police came to the park to make sure everyone was going home quickly. They kicked out a family that had a picnic and were playing football. I live v centrally and it has been a nightmare recently with people treating lockdown like a holiday.

I'm a police officer and have been pulling over plenty of cars on night shifts now. It's not to "infringe on your rights" or because I am "power hungry". It's because we are seeing a rise of business burglaries because of the pandemic and we want to check who is out and about and if they have a valid reason.

The police have a power to pull over any car anyway with no reason, under the Road Traffic Act.

I've also been speaking to plenty of walkers out at night and checking they are safe and again, that they have a valid reason to be out.

i think you are allowed to drive somewhere to exercise at the moment in the UK.

This was asked at one of the press conferences.

We live at the end of a rural country lane at the top of hill & getting lots more traffic at the moment. because people are too lazy to walk up the hill.

You don’t need to drive somewhere to have a walk.

It’s unnecessary travel.

There are less ambulances if you crash.

You need to fill up with petrol - putting yourself and others at risk of contracting the virus.

You are putting people in that area at risk of catching something from you - that you might not know you have.

If everyone hops in their cars and heads out to for example Pendle Hill you suddenly have a full car park and lots of people walking around in one place.

I’m not sure why people are struggling to understand ‘you must stay in your homes’. How can that possibly be vague?

The "ticket" is from Avon and Somerset police - or allegedly so. Someone on a Facebook page in Gloucestershire claims they found it on there car in a Gloucestershire town, all a bit suspicious to me.

@Ginfordinner agree. Wtf does it take to get some people to shape up and follow the rules?

It's not a ticket, it's clearly an advisory flyer.

Wellington is in Somerset, south of Taunton and near the M5. It's covered by Avon and Somerset police.

I'm glad the police are acting.
People aren't taking it seriously.
They're tasering people in Italy who defy the rules. Just for defiance and walking along the street.
Think yourself lucky.

My Dps work have given him a permission to travel letter incase he gets stopped, there are police checks in places around us popping up he last few days so I presume they will get closer!

There is also council workers sitting in vans in the local park making sure people are moving and not gathering in groups and not playing on the equipment!