By Gavin Mackintosh-
Derbyshire Police has contradicted its officers actions over the weekend in disrupting individuals violating the government guidelines to the British pubic about the Coronavirus.
Chief Constable Peter Goodman(pictured) agreed with a scathing criticism by Former Supreme Court judge Lord Sumption in which he claimed that police officers had no power to stop people walking in the country. This was in contradiction to government guidelines that permit people to go for an exercise once a day.
Mr Goodman said it was “right that there is no power to stop people going walking in the country”. The backtrack follows publication of drone footage on social media by Derbyshire police featuring numerous visitors to the peak District. Mr Goodman told BBC Radio 5: “the Peak District was inundated with visitors in spite of he said he agreed with Lord Sumption that “the separation of state from policing is really important in a democratic society”.
He added: “I think there’s a misinterpretation by him about what’s going on. The force was also criticised by the ex-judge for “wrecking beauty spots”, in reference to police dyeing the water at the Blue Lagoon near Buxton.
Mr Goodman told BBC Radio 5 Live his officers: “never expected to be asked by the government to play the role that we’re playing”, and that he wanted them to use “explanation and conversation” to to ensure the public were adhering to guidelines on social distancing when exercising”.
The government’s guidelines clearly states that people only to leave their homes under a list of “very limited purposes”, banned public gatherings of more than two people and ordered the closure of non-essential shops.
”Every citizen must comply with these new measures and the relevant authorities, including the police, will be given the powers to enforce them through fines and dispersing gatherings”. It appears the constable is now saying police do not in fact have the power to stop people having walks in parks, undermining the order to some extent.
An officer from Derbyshire after mr.Goodman’s interview Police told The Eye Of Media.Com that people are allowed to go for walks but not drive to destinations to have walks.