London has ‘alarming’ rise in shopping and Met Police seem uninterested

Despite the governments’ restrictions on movement, Londoners have been ignoring the law as data shows shocking numbers of people shopping.

Analysts reported an “alarming uplift” in people shopping last weekend as the weather turned hot, which saw thousands of people out, flouting the law.

Data specialist Springboard said there was an 81% drop in footfall last week, compared to last years figures, for the same period.

On Saturday, the number of people visiting shops rose by 9.5%, compared to the previous week, and this number rose by 21.3% on Sunday.

There is clear evidence with widespread reports across London and the UK that thousands of people “don’t care” and ignored the law on staying at home.

In just 36 minutes, LondonLovesBusiness counted 1,036 people walking through St. Mary’s Church in Battersea, South West London.

People could be seen in large crowds and “literally touching shoulders with others” walking through the church yard and along the River Thames.

Matt Hancock said if people continue to break the law and do not follow the rules, then the government “might have to take further action.”

Hancock said, “We’ve said it’s okay to get some exercise, I don’t want to have to take away exercise as a reason to leave home if too many people are not following the rules.

“Let’s not have a minority spoiling it for everybody.”

LondonLovesBusiness asked a Metropolitan Police spokeswoman, are people who are sunbathing and mixing from multiple households, playing football and picnicking in a communal garden in large crowds, allowed to do so?

Shockingly the Met Police spokeswoman, told us, this “is a matter for Public Health England (PHE), and not the Metropolitan Police.”

PHE have made their advice quit clear, as have the government, Boris Johnson and Matt Hancock.

The data report said, “The increase on Sunday was particularly noticeable in London (+51.4%), in other large cities (+32%) and in coastal towns across the UK (29.6%) which are key locations for leisure trips but less significant for essential shopping.”

Adding, “With the warm weather set to continue over the four-day Easter weekend, this brings into question what further measures the government will need to enforce to curtail this movement.

“With the closure of all but essential stores, the four-day bank holiday weekend will be unrecognisable in what is usually the most important trading period for retailers outside of Christmas.”

On Sunday Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary told Britons this is not a request, it is the law, stay at home and do not go out sunbathing and only leave your home for exercise and shopping for essential items.

Hancock told Sky News on Sunday, “The vast majority of people are following the public health advice, which is absolutely critical, and staying at home.

“But there are a small minority of people who are still not doing that – it’s quite unbelievable frankly to see that there are some people who are not following the advice.”