Cops Slammed After Ignoring Social Distancing To Pose With Wedding Guests

Several cops face a dressing down from their bosses after they posed for photos with guests at a wedding that appeared to flout coronavirus regulations.

Officers from West Mercia Police were snapped in close proximity to wedding guests as well as a range of super fancy cars, including a Rolls Royce Phantom and a Lamborghini.

The wedding, which took place on Saturday 15 August, started in Telford, Shropshire, before moving to Birmingham.

Chief Supt Sue Thomas, of West Mercia Police, said: "As part of their engagement with the wedding party our officers agreed to pose for a photo.

"Disappointingly, the officers do not appear to have reminded the group of the importance of social distancing or taken such measures themselves - and they will be spoken to about this."

Meanwhile, residents in Telford said the party went on for two days, with concerns that lockdown rules were being ignored.

Residents say once the party was over in the Crystal Plaza in Birmingham the party continued in the Telford suburb of Arleston, prompting numerous complaints from neighbours.

After seeing footage of the police posing with guests, one neighbour said: "At the end of the day, where is the social distancing? You have to go along with the coronavirus rules and it's the police's job to enforce those rules.

"The police are going to come out of it badly. Presumably, they knew this was taking place.

"They should have asked beforehand how the families were going to play this."

West Mercia Police has said action will be taken over the wedding, with a spokesperson telling the Birmingham Mail: "There was a large Asian wedding taking place through the week.

"The Safer Neighbourhood Team was on duty and conducting patrols to ensure public safety.

"We are aware that a number of the guests were driving in an inappropriate manner, which is being followed up in regards to who was driving. There will be a number of Section 59s being issued as a result."

While a spokesperson from West Midlands Police said: "We were called to Crystal Plaza in Armoury Road at 8.45pm on Saturday following reports of a large wedding party taking place in breach of Covid-19 restrictions.

"Officers attended and found around 200 people at the venue. Evidence was gathered on body-worn cameras and officers dispersed the gathering.

"Licensing and local neighbourhood officers had visited the venue the day before to remind staff that under Covid-19 legislation it is illegal to host large gatherings, parties or wedding receptions.

"Our licensing unit is now liaising with the local authority over the alleged breaches.

"We understand that weddings are a joyous occasion, but these restrictions are in place to stop the spread of Covid-19.

"We will only enforce the law as an absolute last resort, but it is imperative that people act responsibly and follow the guidelines."

Current coronavirus restrictions mean weddings in England must be limited to a maximum of 30 guests.

Featured Image Credit: BPM Media

Topics: UK News, lockdown, Coronavirus

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19