By Gavin Mackintosh And James Simons –
Norfolk Police have been struggling to keep its constituents under lockdown rules as people continue to flout them.
The force said too many people had been breaching the guidelines and turning up to other people’s homes for barbecues. Norfolk police revealed their frustrations in a number of tweets. At 5.30pm, officers attended Chapelfield Gardens where half-a-dozen people were spoken to for breaching the rules and asked to moved on.
Norfolk police which won prizes at the world policing awards in November 19 for their work on operation moonfoot was praised by this publication after the brilliance of their policing was highlighted by the daughter of one of their officers(whose identity we will not disclose).
Operation Moonteam pose for cameras after receiving prize at world class Police Awards Image: twitter
However, the proud daughter of her cop parent feels officers are being a bit soft when it comes to enforcing the lockdown. At about 7pm police were called to St Olaves Road, where about a dozen people were attending a barbecue, while four children were spoken to after they were seen on the playground at West Earlham Infant School on Tuesday lunchtime. NThe force received over 330 calls over the weekend from members of the public complaining about lockdown breaches.
Temporary assistant chief constable Julie Wvendth, said: “Sadly there is still a minority who believe it is acceptable to continue to ignore the rules and potentially put lives at risk.
“Our biggest concern following the weekend is the number of people who have attended other households, particularly for barbecues or parties. police received 160 calls from members of the public with a further 198 calls on Sunday, April 5.
As a consequence, 51 warnings were given to those in public or gathered at other addresses on Saturday, including partygoers at a house in Broadland, all of whom were sent home. On Sunday, officers issued 58 warnings, including to a pub in North Norfolk selling take away meals but letting customers eat them in its beer garden.
Norwich North MP Chloe Smith urged people to stay indoors, so police do not have to be out dealing with incidents such as sunbathers.
She said: “We need the police to be able to do their jobs, just like we need the NHS to be able to do its job and that requires all of us to do our jobs – that, I’m afraid, means staying at home to protect these resources and save lives.”
Norfolk police was recently criticised for failing to realise the effect the travellers were having on the local community and not implementing enough r to deal with problems and statements made by the force on social media were ill judged. The Chief Constable has admitted the response was wrong and is pledging to learn from the force’s mistakes.