Police chiefs have told officers that people should not be punished for driving a reasonable distance to exercise, and that blanket checks were disproportionate, in a bid to quell a row about heavy-handed enforcement of the coronavirus lockdown. Announcing the lockdown last Monday, Boris Johnson said people could exercise only once a day. Officers are told that enforcement actions such as arrest or the issuing of a fine should be used as a last resort. Several forces have taken no enforcement action since the emergency laws came into effect, finding that explaining and encouraging people to comply has worked. “Use them during the national emergency while honouring the traditions of British policing,” the guidance says.

Source: The Guardian March 31, 2020 22:45 UTC