Coronavirus: Met Police criticised for allowing clapping crowds to flout lockdown rules on Westminster Bridge
Written by News on 17/04/2020
Metropolitan Police officers have been criticised for allowing people to breach social distancing rules on Westminster Bridge during the weekly round of applause for frontline workers.
Footage from Thursday night showed hundreds of people, including members of the emergency services, gathered closely together at 8pm for the Clap for Carers national gesture to recognise NHS staff and other key workers during the coronavirus pandemic.
The videos show police cars with their lights flashing and people lining the bridge near the Houses of Parliament.
Some viewers expressed shock that people were allowed to be in such close proximity, given the police guidelines for lockdown and the accepted reasons for leaving the house.
Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick was also present but appeared to be more than 2 metres from other people.
Twitter user Damir Rafi, a doctor at St Thomas’s which is on the opposite side of the River Thames and where Boris Johnson was treated for coronavirus, said he was “perplexed by the lack of social distancing”.
Elaine Paterson wrote: “I honestly can’t get my head around this. I’ve been feeling bad about going out for a wee jog around the quiet back streets every few days – meanwhile the police appear to be endorsing a blooming festival on #westminsterbridge!”
The Metropolitan Police shared a video on its Twitter account showing people clapping at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, again in close proximity.
One user’s comment was: “I see social distancing doesn’t apply on Thursday evenings.”
Officers across the country have been dispersing groups on beaches or in parks, stopping people from sitting on benches or from going on unnecessary drives.
More than 3,200 fines were handed out by police in England between 27 March and 13 April to those who have flouted the rules.
Following the criticism, the Metropolitan Police released a statement which said: “Officers, along with other emergency service workers, came together last night on Westminster Bridge to celebrate the work of all key workers.
“A large number of members of the public also gathered to express their gratitude.
“While many people adhered to social distancing guidance, it appears that some did not.
“We regularly remind our officers of the importance of social distancing where practical, and will continue do so.”
The prime minister’s official spokesperson said: “We would ask that everyone takes responsibility and adheres to social distancing so we can safely show appreciation to those fighting coronavirus.”
(c) Sky News 2020: Coronavirus: Met Police criticised for allowing clapping crowds to flout lockdown rules on Westminster Bridge
