Police crackdown in London as officers get tough on lockdown flouters

The Met is strengthening its Covid policing following Mayor Sadiq Khan’s warning that London’s hospitals face being “overwhelmed"
AP
John Dunne @jhdunne11 January 2021

Police have been cracking down on Covid rule breakers, arresting lockdown protesters and busting a games night in a restaurant as part of tougher approach across the capital.  

The Met is strengthening its Covid policing following Mayor Sadiq Khan’s warning that London’s hospitals face being “overwhelmed” as coronavirus infections soar.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist warned last week said that “rule breakers can’t feign ignorance” and that Covid laws banning gatherings and requiring face masks in a number of indoor settings would be enforced.

Following his tough statement, officers swooped on a group of 30 anti-lockdown protesters in Clapham Common on Saturday afternoon. Sixteen people were arrested and 22 were fined.  

In another breach, a Hackney gym owner was given a £1,000 fixed penalty notice for offering lockdown workouts. Police were deployed after a tip-off and found the gym in Stean Street open and three people inside on Friday morning.  

Officers also broke up a domino game at a restaurant in Whitechapel Road with the players hiding in a dark room. Thirteen people were hit with fines after the raid on December 29, when the capital was under Tier 4 rules. They had flouted the ban on households mixing.  

On New Year’s Eve, the Met were called to 58 unlicensed music events and parties across London.

Police across the country are now reviewing their tactics in dealing with Covid rule breakers.

Paul Netherton, deputy chief constable of Devon and Cornwall police, told BBC Breakfast today that people are “fed up” with the rules and “beginning to flout” them.

He added: “What’s happening is that people are beginning to flout the rules, they are thinking ‘how can I get away with the rules?’”

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