‘Unbelievable’: Police disperse barbeque attended by more than 20 people just one day after coronavirus lockdown announced
Attendee tells officers her children have to eat - but can't explain why they couldn't do so at home
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Police who discovered a barbecue being attended by more than 20 people just a day after the country was put on lockdown have described the scene as “unbelievable”.
Officers tipped over the outdoor cooker after the revellers initially refused to disperse, despite temporary new laws preventing such social gatherings.
The measures have been introduced in a bid to halt the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
The incident in Coventry came to light after the city’s Foleshill Police team tweeted a picture of the remains of the gathering on Tuesday afternoon.
The group – including both toddlers and people in their 60s – were stood “shoulder to shoulder around a buffet" taking place in a housing precinct, officers reported.
And, when told to disperse, one woman replied that her children had to eat.
“She could not explain,” a spokesperson for West Midlands Police later said, “why she wasn’t cooking for them at home in her kitchen”.
They added: “Officers felt they needed to end the gathering by tipping over the BBQ and insisting the group dispersed to their homes.
“It’s vital everyone follows the new lockdown instructions. They are essential and will save lives.”
In London, crowds of people defied the lockdown measures to subathe in public parks.
Police chased groups of friends out of Shepherd’s Bush Green, telling them ‘this is not a holiday, it’s a lockdown’.
Strict new measures, announced by Boris Johnson on Monday, ban public gatherings of more than two people.
Under new powers, police will “persuade, cajole, negotiate and advise” people that they should not be outdoors except in limited circumstances and should not be mixing with others. But if such advice goes unheeded, officers will be able to issue fines.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments