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Group Fined After Meeting Up For A Barbecue In The Snow Despite Lockdown Restrictions

Group Fined After Meeting Up For A Barbecue In The Snow Despite Lockdown Restrictions

Five adults and seven children from three families were found tucking into a barbecue despite the snow

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

A group of people who met up on the snowy moors in Country Durham to have a barbecue have been fined for breaking coronavirus rules.

Cops were called to reports of a number of people gathered together and tucking into a barbecue despite the area being covered in snow and battered by 40mph winds.

According to the Northern Echo, officers found five adults and eight children - from three different families - who had all travelled around 20 miles to meet up at the spot.

PA

The families initially claimed they were not doing anything wrong but eventually admitted that the little get together had put all of those who attended at potential risk of contracting the virus.

The five adults were each handed a £200 fine and sent on their way with their kids.

Superintendent Ritchie Allen, of Durham Constabulary, said: "The vast majority of people across our communities are sticking to the regulations and we would like thank them for thinking of others and doing their bit to keep everyone safe.

"However, some people are bending the rules and putting others at risk.

"While we know the stay at home guidance has been particularly challenging for many people, travelling to host a BBQ get together with other households is not acceptable.

"Those in attendance risked not only their own lives but also those of others and could put extra pressure on an already struggling NHS.

"We would rather the public follow the rules than have to resort to issuing FPNs, but if we do get called to a blatant breach, we will look to issue fines to all those involved.

"Please think of others and if in doubt of the rules, check your local government website."

And these families are certainly not the only ones who have been flouting the rules for bizarre reasons.

Earlier this month, a bloke was fined after he drove from Bristol to Cheddar Gorge so he could eat a kebab and enjoy the view.

As you can probably imagine, cops in the area did not accept that this was an essential journey.

PA

Posting on Twitter Avon and Somerset Police said: "Patrols of Cheddar Gorge this evening resulted in multiple vehicles being dispersed and 7 fixed penalty notices being issued for breaching Covid-19 legislation.

"Travelling from Bristol to Cheddar to sit and eat kebabs in your vehicle is not a reasonable excuse!"

In a statement to Somerset Live, the force added: "Police patrolling in Cheddar [on Saturday] engaged with a number of people who were sitting in parked cars in Cheddar Gorge.

"Officers took the decision to issue fixed penalty notices to seven individuals whom they determined were not local to the area, were not members of the same household, and did not have a valid reason for their journey under the current COVID-19 regulations.

"We would ask that people follow the regulations, only travel when it is essential and take exercise locally to their home address, in order to save lives and protect the NHS."

Featured Image Credit: Durham Constabulary

Topics: UK News, Coronavirus, crime