Is heavier policing of the current rules next?

[Eckhart]

It seems policing is quite gentle at the moment. Are they going to crack down and fine everybody, as their next move? Rather than ban outdoor exercise? I just can't imagine going from this gentle police presence/bit of questioning here and there, to full on lockdown, in one step.

I hope they would actually get the police to enforce the current step up before going to a complete lockdown.

If they upped the fine to say £200 a time you were stopped, and actually have Boris say in a press conference (so people can’t say police are making the rules up, government didn’t say that) police will check why you are out. If your caught sitting on the beach etc, you will be fined. You can exercise, once a day but you can’t be in a group, you can’t sit on the beach, you can’t drive to exercise.

Seems very harsh to not enforce the current rules but go straight to total lockdown

I'm hoping tighter rules and heavier policing is on the way. People in general just can't be trusted, it seems. It's too late to faff about

They need to, this namby pamby ‘policing by consent’ bollocks is feeble.

Can't sit on a bench? that's a new one

Well, they certainly need to get their message straight, because Matt Hancock said we could drive a short distance to exercise.

yes, sitting on a bench....loitering....why is the message not getting through? there was footage of police in Italy moving people away, off benches!

Can't sit on a bench? hmm that's a new one

You can be out for exercise, food, medicine, work, or caring duties, what category does sitting on a bench come under??

Sitting on a beach to enjoy the sun, today for example isn’t exercising is it? You’d be outside on a non essential trip to enjoy the sun- that is not allowed! Exercise would equal one moving wouldn’t it??

None of the current guidelines involve anybody staying still outside. That's what needs to be policed. People sitting around taking up space that others could be using. There's not enough room to accommodate everybody getting out for their essential stuff if people are guzzling up hours and hours outdoors. Nobody needs to be out for more than an hour for essential exercise. They might want it, but they don't need it.

Fair point well made. I was just thinking of those that needed a 10 min break while exercising rather than people sitting out at the park all day (eg mobility issues but still want a walk around a park) but I get the point.

Can't sit on a bench? hmm that's a new one
No, it’s not.

Me and DH were talking about the sunbathing earlier.
I started off saying that if a couple who lived together enjoyed some time out in the sunshine, and kept 2m from everyone else, I couldn't see the harm in that. But in the next breath I realised that if lots and lots of people do that, they are essentially blocking someone else using the outside space. So it is good to 'go out for exercise' but that means moving while you are outside, to allow the most people to get their time outside in shared spaces.

Honestly staggered by the selfishness of ppl out this weekend sunbathing and/or in large groups. My worst nightmare would be a total lockdown where no one can even go for a walk. We have dogs - what on earth would that be like? Ppl should stop being so bloody selfish. Also police should be stricter in enforcing things before they punish the rest of the rule-abiding majority who just want this nightmare to end.

The police enforce the law not government press announcements.

I think it would make sense to police the existing rules properly, with bigger fines, than introduce new rules that don't really make a difference.

For example, if they say you have to exercise within 2km of your home, that won't affect me because I already am. However, there are still several parks within that radius, so it won't stop people going to parks unless they close them all. But if they do close them all, it pushes everyone onto the pavements. They could say 400m but there will still be people who live within the 400m.

But, if they say they'll patrol the parks and give £100 fines to people sunbathing, that might actually drive a change in behaviour - ie walk through the park and not hang around. Ditto eating ice creams on the beach. Fine to walk on the beach, not fine to sit down with an ice cream.

I could also seem some value in stopping families going out together. Obviously single parents would have to be excepted, but they could say one parent and child out at a time, and if you eg want to go on a bike ride you have to take it in turns. That would stop the family outings, which cause obstructions on narrow paths.

In France they have handed out 350,000 fines during lockdown. Uk? 125.

I wanted to say no but the fact of the weather and Easter coming up makes me think it is inevitable.

Well obviously the police enforce law, they enforce it they do no make the rules they just enforce them. I wasn’t suggesting Boris goes out arresting people ffs 🙄🙄

People need to hear government say clearly what police can and can’t do....as in they can and will stop cars ask you where your going/ they can and will fine you for being in groups at beauty hotspots/ they can and will move you on/issue a fine for people out sunbathing in public spaces on hot days etc. If the government don’t make it clear what the police can enforce, then people are all over social media saying our government didn’t say that, how dare he police make the rules up as we’ve already seen

It seems different police forces are taking different approaches, which is leading to some confusion. Cheshire police are being notoriously heavy-handed, issuing fines for people who are not actually breaking Government guidelines but who they perceive to be. Next-door in Shropshire, West Mercia police are a little less rigid. Maybe a more consistent approach would be better.

@cologne4711 People blocking pathways is my bugbear at the moment. Families of 4 and 5 walking side by side a metre apart, blocking the entire promenade. People queuing across pavements rather than along them, so that there's no way past the queue other than to walk round the block. Individuals walking centrally down a 2m wide pathway, making no concession for those passing.

I spent half my run today in the road, when mostly there was enough pavement for everybody.

I agree @P1nkHeartLovesCake. One clear announcement of 'all those congregating in public spaces will be fined £100', and one day of solid, consistent enforcement, would sort this out pronto. There'd still be people breaking the rules; there always are. But there'd be a lot less.

It'll be a shame if they did .
Like some have said they've seen neighbours with family round etc that will be difficult for police to see and fine where someone going for a walk would be caught. The person having relatives round creating a risk someone going for a walk not much risk .

@ilovecakeandwine A poster on another thread said one house in her street had been reported to the police for having a party, and the police still didn't put a stop to it. A few solid enforcements and fines in each town would help enormously. Word gets round.

They should do. It's unfair on the majority who have been obeying the rules if they don't.