Lockdown breaches "very frustrating" says Plymouth police officer
PC Jon Hitt says people should know better
Last updated 10th Feb 2021
A Plymouth police officer has expressed his frustration at seeing people breaking lockdown rules so frequently.
PC Jon Hitt has been speaking to Greatest Hits Radio Plymouth, after a number of house parties in the city in recent weeks.
He says people organising them, should know better but stresses that it is a minority of people breaking the rules.
He says he and his colleagues are seeing the same issues at the moment:
"We see people who are gathered in groups, who are young, and they tell us they won't catch it.
"There are people in town, shopping but they tell us they're out and about exercising, and they've travelled from wherever they live, because there's nowhere for them to do what they're doing, where they live.
The whole of England is currently in a lockdown, meaning you must not leave your home except where necessary.
PC Jon Hitt said he is surprised at how many people are breaking rules.
"These are conversations we shouldn't be having with people. Having to challenge people is not nice. We don't enjoy it. It's not something that we revel in."
"We find it quite uncomfortable having to challenge people, and asking them what they're doing, how far away they are from home or why they're engaging in a particular activity."
The Government allows you to leave your house for the following reasons only:
- shop for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person
- go to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home
- exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person (in which case you should stay 2m apart). Exercise should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.
- meet your support bubble or childcare bubble where necessary, but only if you are legally permitted to form one
- seek medical assistance or avoid injury, illness or risk of harm (including domestic abuse)
- attend education or childcare - for those eligible