Covidiots continued to flout coronavirus lockdown rules over the Easter weekend as police confronted cricketers and jet skiers while a ...
Covidiots continued to flout coronavirus lockdown rules over the Easter weekend as police confronted cricketers and jet skiers while a driver was stopped with a trampoline on her roof.
People refused to stay indoors as temperatures hit 25C (77F) over the bank holiday weekend, the hottest weather of the year so far.
Lockdown flouters were seen out-and-about in parks and on beaches enjoying the sunshine, openly ignoring social distancing regulations.
Nineteen covidiots were stopped by Lancaster Police in Moor Park, Preston, for playing cricket during lockdown on Easter Monday.
They said they were 'bored' after being spotted by passerby Paul Winstanley, who filmed the cricketers.
The cricketers were given advice about social distancing rules by officers, but were not fined.
Some of the men are seen sitting on the ground clearly less than two metres apart.
Under coronavirus guidelines, group exercise is also outlawed.
Sports therapist Paul spotted them in Preston and tweeted: 'Seventeen people enjoying a game of cricket.
'How stupid can you be...idiots...'
Officers from Lancashire Police arrived shortly after Paul called 101.
It said on Twitter: 'Ourselves and colleagues from @LancsSpecials attended a report of several males playing cricket on Moor Park, Preston.
'Nineteen adult males who claimed to be 'bored' have been suitably advised regarding social distancing.'
A group of 19 men were definitely not social distancing during their game of cricket in a Preston park and were spotted by sports therapist Paul
A woman who decided picking up a trampoline over Easter weekend was an essential journey was also stopped by police after trying to drive home with it on her roof.
Officers in Poole, Dorset, caught the driver with the trampoline on her roof, held in place by her passenger's arm out the open window.
Dorset Police were called out to investigate a vehicle with an insecure load on Saturday.
The officers escorted the car home.
A spokesman said: 'Driver collected a trampoline and then decided to drive with it being held on the car roof by an arm. Not a good idea.
'Please essential journeys only. The driver knew she was wrong but wanted it for her children.
'To help we slowly escorted the vehicle home, with the driver being apologetic and thankful.'
A woman who decided picking up a trampoline over Easter weekend was an essential journey was also stopped by police after trying to drive home with it on her roof
On the bank holiday Monday (yesterday) Dorset Police traffic officers also stopped a driver who had travelled more than 100 miles from Hertfordshire to 'see Durdle Door for the evening'.
The Durdle Door Holiday Park and Lulworth Estate, which owns the land, faced public criticism last week for staying open and encouraging visitors during the lockdown.
The estate later announced it would be closing its car parks at Lulworth and Durdle Door following the backlash.
The driver from Hertfordshire was issued a ticket for breaching the lockdown rules before being escorted out of Dorset without reaching his destination.
Hampshire police also stopped covidiot thrill-seekers who were caught breaching lockdown off the coast of Fishbourne - on jet skis.
Police headed out on a boat to confront the pair after the duo were spotted ignoring coronavirus warnings to enjoy the sunshine on Easter Sunday.
Mum-of-two Helen Hopper saw them off the coast of the Isle of Wight.
She shared the video on Twitter, saying: 'Two gentlemen get their understanding corrected thanks to the boys in blue.
'At Fishbourne just now.'
In the clip, a man can be heard saying: 'They are in trouble now.'
She then adds: 'Oh dear.
'...Responsible activity in the midst of a global pandemic.'
Julie Clarke said: 'This country will need every penny to get over this crisis.
Helen Hopper spotted police confronting two jet skiers off the coast of the Isle of Wight who flouted lockdown rules as they were out enjoying the Easter sunshine
'Having to waste money to sort these cretins out is very sad.'
Chris Earley said on Twitter: 'What a pair of clowns.'
Isle of Wight Police posted on Facebook: 'Helen Hopper caught our marine unit in action yesterday dealing with some jet ski riders on the Solent.'
Isle of Wight Police shared Helen's post on Facebook saying: 'Helen Hopper caught our marine unit in action yesterday dealing with some jet ski riders on the Solent.'
Hampshire Police said officers encouraged the individuals to return to shore and reminded them about government guidance.
It said: 'They returned to shore and as such, there was no reason to pursue enforcement action.'
Meanwhile in the deserted capital, a punk band were spotted playing to an empty Piccadilly Circus.
A punk band were spotted filming a rock music video in the middle of a deserted Piccadilly Square, but fled after being approached by a photographer
The three band members were filming a rock video and spotted with a camera man and a bottle of cider.
The band ignored lockdown regulations in London, enjoying the sunshine and chatting to their camera man whilst filming instead.
They were ironically shooting below giant screens promoting Stay at Home and Save the NHS.
The band were spotting shooting their video below giant screens ironically promoting Stay at Home and Save the NHS
The three band members were accompanied by a camera man and a bottle of cider in the deserted centre of London
The band left Piccadilly Circus after spotting the photographer, abandoning their filming session.
Meanwhile in Yorkshire, two men were filmed after crashing a tandem during a lockdown bike ride.
They were found lying on the pavement by passerby Dean Ireland in York, North Yorkshire.
The pair - who appeared drunk - came off in a quiet, city centre street.
One of them clambered to his feet before a bottle of wine fell out of his bag and smashed in the road.
Dean did his best to check on the cyclists, but the pair didn't seem to want his help.
He was told to *f**k off' by one of the men who tried to cycle away on his own leaving the other on the ground.
Dean filmed the aftermath of the double bike crash on Saturday afternoon when Brits were urged to stay home amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
He posted the video on Facebook which went viral getting nearly 10,000 shares and 5,000 comments.
The social media manager from the city said: 'Lockdown and you come across this when out for a bit of exercise.'
In the video he can be heard asking 'you lads all right?' and one replies saying 'yeah all right'.
Two cyclists crashed when out on a lockdown bike ride and were stopped by passerby Dean Ireland who was told to *f**k off' by one of the men
One of the men tried to cycle away on his own, leaving the other on the ground. A bottle of wine fell out one of the men's bags and smashed on the floor after the crash
Dean says to the cyclists: 'You had a few sherberts?'
'You're going to lose wine bottle out of your rucksack.'
As the bottle smashes, the man says: 'Oh no.'
As the first man then tries to cycle away, Dean says: 'Don't be riding on the road fella, just walk it.'
The social media manager posted the video on Facebook where it went viral getting nearly 10,000 shares and 5,000 comments
But the man tells him to 'f**k off'.
John Hewitt said on Facebook: 'Awkward isn't it.
'Do I offer help or take a photograph?'
But Dean replied: 'Tried to help as best I could, given the COVID situation.
'And I was also told to f**k off.'
Mr Ireland tried to advise the pair not to cycle off afterwards but 'just walk it' instead. The men did not listen and were seen pushing their bikes off
Over the Easter weekend, West Midlands Police seized nine off-road bikes and made a string of arrests after gangs turned empty city roads 'into race tracks'.
They said the covidiots were 'running amok' on Birmingham's highways.
Traffic police, including officers on motorbikes as well as the force helicopter, tracked the louts and over three days seized nine bikes and arrested four men, including a teenager.
Police said they 'come down hard on Covidiots were tried turning deserted streets into race tracks'.
Sergeant Mitch Darby, from the force traffic unit, said: 'The majority of people are behaving responsibly and staying at home to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
'But there are some who seemed to think the unusually quiet roads was an opportunity to ride dangerously and anti-socially.
Easter saw people in Southampton ignoring government advice as parks and beaches up-and-down the country filled up for the April bank holiday weekend
'We'd planned for the prospect and had significant numbers of police bikers out over the long weekend, while the police helicopter was hovering above to offer support.
'Our efforts continue on Easter Monday and throughout the lock down period.
'And our message is clear to any off-road bikers caught riding irresponsibly: you face being arrested, we'll seize your bike and apply to the courts to confiscate and crush it.'
The arrests included a 25-year-old man pursued in Wolverhampton on Friday before being arrested on suspicion of failing to stop for police and dangerous driving.
Traffic police also stopped an off-road bike gathering in Victoria Road in Birmingham city centre.
Two were stopped and reported for riding without licences or insurance; their bikes were seized for destruction.
Another sped off on board an orange KTM but was tracked by our eye-in-the-sky and caught by an officer in Grosvenor Road, Aston, after the bike was dumped.
A 22-year-old man from Alum Rock was arrested and later charged with dangerous driving, failing to stop for police and other motoring offences.
Police in Southampton, Hants were also spotted asking a man relaxing under a tree to move on after people continued to flock to parks
He was bailed and will appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court on May 11.
Later the same day, three off-road bikes were pursued in the Bromford area.
Two dirt bikes and a quad were recovered and checks on police systems revealed two were stolen.
A 33-year-old man from Bromford was arrested and a 29-year-old summonsed to appear at court for driving with no licence and no insurance.
A black moped was seized on Sunday and a 15-year-old boy arrested after it was spotted being ridden anti-socially on parkland in Shard End.
The teenager was charged with having no licence or insurance and breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order.
A blue Sinis Spirit was recovered following a pursuit in Weoley Castle but the rider managed to escape on foot.
Brits who flout the lockdown rules could end up saddled with a £60 fine and potentially another for £120 for a second offence, with the penalty doubling for additional breaches.
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