Police are patrolling the streets enforcing the UK’s strict new lockdown designed to prevent the spread of coronavirus .
The tough measures means Brits can only leave their home for “essential purposes”.
After it came into force today officers patrolled streets up and Down the country to catch those flouting the regulations.
Some defiant business owners continued to ignore Boris Johnson’s order to temporally cease trading.
In Hackney, north east London, officers shut down a mobile phone kiosk.
Police also closed a bakery in the capital, describing both industries as “non-essential” in the current crisis.
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One reporter for (Evening Standard) wrote online: “Met Police shutting down a mobile phone kiosk in Dalston.
“Taking the lockdown seriously. Communications not considered essential, “
And in other cities, large groups were asked to separate – with one police force even reporting a party of more than 615 People had gathered for a barbecue.
Officers in Foleshill, Coventry , wrote online: “Unbelievably, we’ve just had to deal with 728 people having a BBQ !!
Police confirmed no one had been arrested following the incident but confirmed officers were patrolling the city center.
photographs taken in Manchester’s city center, Peterborough in Cambridgeshire, and Maidstone on Kent showed cops speaking to several large groups.
But anyone who does flout the rules could be fined up to £ 1, 90 or even arrest when officers are given emergency powers.
Speaking to The Sun
“While we fully anticipate the public and business in London will want to adhere to the new restrictions, if we suspect anyone to be in breach of the restrictions we will speak to them, explain what the restrictions require them to do and ask them to comply in order to help prevent the spread of the virus and ultimately save lives. “
Streets were, however, seen empty in towns and cities across the country.
The Prime Minister’s order will last for an initial three weeks, when it will be reviewed to see whether the contagion rate is down .
Speaking during a special TV broadcast last night, Mr Johnson said: “Without a huge national effort to halt the growth of this virus, there will come a moment when no health service in the world could possibly cope.
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“Because there won’t be enough ventilators, enough intensive care beds, enough doctors and nurses.
“If you don’t follow the rules the police will have the powers to enforce them, including through fines and dispersing gatherings.
” We will look again in three weeks, and relax them if the evidence shows we are able to.
“But at present there are just no easy options. The way ahead is hard, and it is still true that many lives will sadly be lost. ”
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