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Original poster

Two Women fined for walking for Starbucks

648 replies

Superketchup · 08/01/2021 13:17

What rule have they broken? I don’t understand. Two of them met - yes can meet one other person - they’d driven 5 miles - surely that’s ok?! - and they had a Starbucks each which the police said was a picnic?!
Why are they keeping takeaways open if it’s agaisnt the law to get one? I took my kids to the park, the coffee shop was open for takeaway. It was freezing. We got a hot chocolate each. I’m too scared to do so again!

OP posts:
RichardMarxisinnocent · 08/01/2021 16:22

@ginghamstarfish

Why would you have to drive 5 miles to have a walk? That is exactly taking the piss out of these rules - 5 miles for one person, drive to the Lake District/Brecon Beacons for another - all selfish idiots. Presumably the vast majority of humans living in the UK can go to their outside door and start walking from there?
After a couple of weeks in lockdown 1 of finding it vaguely interesting to have a nose at houses in roads I'd never been down before, I found aimlessly wandering around residential streets utterly soul destroying. So yes I can walk from my front door, but other than to walk to work, to walk to my support bubble's house and to walk round and round a tiny local park with a friend a handful of times, I haven't been out just "for a walk" since August because I can't face wandering the streets.
Katie517 · 08/01/2021 16:22

Lawyers have confirmed they were doing nothing wrong therefore the fine is void. The law is the law and is not open to each police officers interpretation. Travel for exercise is not illegal as it’s not mentioned in the legislation and the guidelines state you can travel within your local area. Drinking coffee or even having a picnic outside is also not illegal and mentioned no where in the legislation. The police can fine you for breaking the law they cannot fine you for going against guidelines but those women didn’t even do that. The police are making themselves look like fools and are loosing public support which in turn will make their jobs even harder. What someone classes as not in the spirit of the lockdown is very different to another persons. I Have met my friend for a takeaway drink and a walk twice this week and it’s the only thing keeping me sane no laws broken and a very minimal risk.

fluufy · 08/01/2021 16:25

I think it almost seems like people want to make up their own narrative and are desperate to believe the police are in the right as they don't want to face up to the alternative

Funny, what I see is everyone blindly believing the news reports to the letter and determined to hate the police before they even know the details.
Even if you think they are in the wrong, the individual officers are doing what they've been told to by superior officers, and calling them cunts and the like is not ok.

GabsAlot · 08/01/2021 16:25

so i can sit down and eat with someone else outside then

fluufy · 08/01/2021 16:26

The law is the law and is not open to each police officers interpretation

Every law is. That is literally how policing works.

benedicto · 08/01/2021 16:31

@fluufy

The law is the law and is not open to each police officers interpretation

Every law is. That is literally how policing works.

But then the police do not normally issue the punishments. That is done by a court/judge who reviews the evidence (after CPS have assessed the robustness of the evidence). In this case, the police are interpreting law that does not specify any distance and cutting straight to the punishment
AlecTrevelyan006 · 08/01/2021 16:44

@fluufy

The law is the law and is not open to each police officers interpretation

Every law is. That is literally how policing works.

Wrong

The courts can interpret law - not the police

The police are there to uphold and enforce the law

WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants · 08/01/2021 16:46

@ginghamstarfish

The point is that these thousands upon thousands of small 'local' interactions (although clearly the definition of local varies wildly for some) is just why the whole country is in such a state. So these women were clearly thinking 'well I can just do xxx and it's fine, doesn't make any difference, blah blah, I'm special etc etc.' Multiply that by many, many thousands of such examples in a day - and then they wonder why we have one of the worst rates in the world. FFS.
No two people walking around a reservoir is categorically NOT why we have one of the worst rates in the world, it's really not!

Nor is buying takeaway coffee or driving 5 miles.

Toddlerteaplease · 08/01/2021 16:47

I would count five more as definitely local as I could walk or cycle that far. Not everyone is lucky enough to have a country park on their doorstep.

MarieG10 · 08/01/2021 16:56

@TeacupDrama

"they need to let it go to court it will be thrown out you can not be penalised for breaking guidelines only"

They are not going to court as the Cps cancel nearly all tickets as over 90% are incorrect ( ie misinterpreted the law) and nearly all the rest sent back for review. That was the last published data

MarieG10 · 08/01/2021 17:00

@benedicto
"In this case, the police are interpreting law that does not specify any distance and cutting straight to the punishment"

In most cases the police are wrong and interpreting guidance which isn't law. If you don't believe me read this of the latest reviews by CPS of cases

www.cps.gov.uk/cps/news/novembers-coronavirus-review-findings

Gwenhwyfar · 08/01/2021 17:05

Does this mean these two women have a criminal record now, or would that be only if they're charged?

junglepie · 08/01/2021 17:09

you know, actually I sometimes do a 7 mile run which takes my from Yorkshire (my house) just over the border into Derbyshire. Sometimes I take a water bottle with a drink in it. I have even been known to take a few jelly beans in my pocket. Should I risk it????? Or full on picnicing murdering irresponsible behaviour do you think??????

MarieG10 · 08/01/2021 17:12

@RichardMarxisinnocent
"ginghamstarfish
Why would you have to drive 5 miles to have a walk?"

Because normally quiet paths are rammed and include dogs with owners that are as vociferous about them being able to exercise off the lead. That is a reasonable excuse

80sMum · 08/01/2021 17:14

Good grief! If I had been one of those women I would have stood my ground and dared them to arrest me and state exactly which law I was breaking!

The fact is that no law was broken and the police are completely in the wrong in this case! The women were acting legally in every particular.

I suggest that those Derbyshire police officers need some further training on what the law actually says.

Staffy1 · 08/01/2021 17:15

I have to wonder why garden centres are open as well, if they are saying people should only go out if really necessary.

Whatwouldscullydo · 08/01/2021 17:17

Maybe because garden centres often sell pet food?

And because gardening etc is good to encourage people to be outside exercising or relaxing, doing something positive fir their body and mental health in their garden. I

whittystitties · 08/01/2021 17:17

Looking at the picture of them on the beeb there might be a bit of a marketing ploy going on here, couple of WAGs!

2boysand1princess · 08/01/2021 17:19

@Superketchup

What rule have they broken? I don’t understand. Two of them met - yes can meet one other person - they’d driven 5 miles - surely that’s ok?! - and they had a Starbucks each which the police said was a picnic?! Why are they keeping takeaways open if it’s agaisnt the law to get one? I took my kids to the park, the coffee shop was open for takeaway. It was freezing. We got a hot chocolate each. I’m too scared to do so again!
It’s because they were 5miles away from their homes. Serves them right 🤣
2boysand1princess · 08/01/2021 17:21

@junglepie

you know, actually I sometimes do a 7 mile run which takes my from Yorkshire (my house) just over the border into Derbyshire. Sometimes I take a water bottle with a drink in it. I have even been known to take a few jelly beans in my pocket. Should I risk it????? Or full on picnicing murdering irresponsible behaviour do you think??????
If you had jogged 7 miles away from your home you wouldn’t have a hot warm drink in your hands and wellies on.
Viviennemary · 08/01/2021 17:22

Going on a jaunt to meet your friend for a coffee is not a necessary journey. They were even out of their own county.

twinklespells · 08/01/2021 17:23

Am I one of the only people who doesn't live within five miles of their friends? I would have to drive a few miles to meet halfway with any of them.

I've got a five month old and PND. Damn right driving a few miles and meeting a friend for a walk is essential for me right now.

Sunshinegirl82 · 08/01/2021 17:26

Assuming their account is accurate then they should challenge the fixed penalty notices as they definitely won't be upheld.

I regularly drive far further than 5 miles to exercise to break things up for the kids and I will continue to do so. "Local Area" is not defined and in any event forms part of guidance, not law. You cannot be fined for not complying with guidance particularly when that guidance is open to significant interpretation.

User158340 · 08/01/2021 17:31

These are the type of police officers who would ignore a large gathering - or real crime - because it'd be difficult to police.

Ten a penny nowadays.

Thingybobbyboo · 08/01/2021 17:34

I did this today. I live alone and have no close friend in walking distance of my house. We walked and had a coffee.

Fortunately no one tried to fine us! I feel for those women, must have been stressful.

I think this is low risk and important for well-being and I’ll do it again.