The Metropolitan Police have been caught congregating drinking coffee whilst many people were gathered together, sitting on benches enjoying the sun.
The police were recorded of hanging around in Battersea Square, South West London on Thursday lunchtime, with people flouting the lockdown rules just meters away.
Some people were shaking hands and were quite clearly from other households, two elderly men were seen together, with leaning on a manโs shoulder.
Two uniformed officers were standing at the rear of their marked police car, literally meters away allowing the breach of the governmentโs rules on social distancing and lockdown.
Minutes later, two police officers wearing jeans and police marked vests with body cameras parked their unmarked police car and joined the four officers.
The police were photographed and did not take kindly to this. They approached our journalist and asked why are we taking photos?
We replied, it is not against the law to take photographs in a public space, they were then informed we are press, to which one officer said in an arrogant manner, โso what.โ
We reminded them of the governmentโs rules as Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, has made it abundantly clear, not to sunbathe and only go out if it is essential.
Many people were sitting on benches enjoying the sunshine and drinking coffee.
The officer was asked, โwhy are you not enforcing the governments rules on stay at home and only go out if necessary, and no one is allowed to be in a group of more than two people.โ
He replied, โThey are having coffee, whatโs wrong with that? They could have just arrived, 2 minutes ago.โ
We responded, โThey have all been there since before 12, it is now 12:30. Also, they are not applying any social distancing, and neither are you.”
The police officer was too close to our journalist, who then told them, “please respect the social distancing and keep to the rules.โ
With a shrug of his shoulders he responded, โthere is nothing wrong with it.โ
Meanwhile people were shaking hands, an elderly man leaning on the shoulder of another elderly man, who are both over the age 70. This was put to the officer, who said, โwhatever.โ
The officers were both asked to turn on their body cams, but they refused.
The officer was told that he will be in press along with his comments, he replied in yet another arrogant manner, โI donโt care, people take photos and videos all the time.โ
The Commissioner said, โItโs extremely important that we all do try to comply with the restrictions, and we in the police of course have our part to play.
This comes after many people are still ignoring the governments advice, which is โbacked up in lawโ as groups of people are still gathering in parks and other public spaces.
He added that the rules are there for the protection of public health, these are โbacked up in law.โ
People are continuing to flout the coronavirus regulations and once the โthree week grace periodโ is up in the UK, police will be issuing fines and arresting those who break the rules.
The Met Police and the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock’s office were contacted for comment.
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