Police arrived at a comedy club to close it down, only to find that it already was closed and had simply been streaming a re-run of a show recorded earlier in the month.
Hot Water Comedy Club in Liverpool shared CCTV footage showing a number of police arriving at the club at around 9.30pm last night. The officers ring the bell and bang on the door, but of course, there was no one around to open it, as the staff were all at home.
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According to the comedy club, a member of the public had reported it for being open during the UK's lockdown, prompting police to go down to check they were not breaching social distancing measures.
However, the club aren't angry with police and even praised them for responding so quickly.
Sharing the clip, Hot Water Comedy Club wrote: "Tonight we streamed a show we filmed back on 7th March.
"Someone thought it was live and grassed us up to the police, who sent 12 officers a van and a car to shut us down... (fair play to the police responding so fast)."
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The club has been streaming-recorded comedy nights during the lockdown.
A spokesperson from Merseyside Police told LADbible: "Our officers responded to a report from a member of the public concerned that a comedy club was open and live streaming a show with a large number of customers inside yesterday, Saturday, 28 March.
"To verify this, they attended the club and found it closed. Checks were made around the building to make sure no-one was inside.
"It is normal to send several units to a licensed premises if it is anticipated that there will be lots of people present, but on this occasion it turned out to be a false alarm made in good faith by a member of the public. We had numerous patrols in the area as part of our policing plan and we will keep visibly patrolling our communities so the public and businesses know we are here for them.
"Police officers are key workers with a critical role in protecting the public during the coronavirus situation, and whilst they do practice social distancing wherever possible, their role in responding to calls for service from the public, means it is not always possible.
"We consistently reinforce to everyone who works for us the importance of understanding the government's public health advice and encourage them to follow it where the situation allows, and educate their colleagues and the public they engage with as well."
The CCTV shows that police in the UK are taking the new government rules seriously.
Earlier this week, Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the House of Commons police could hand out an unlimited fine to anyone ignoring social distancing measures.
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He said: "These measures are not advice, they are rules and will be enforced, including by the police with fines starting at £30 up to unlimited fines for non-compliance.
"Home is now the front line, and in this national effort, working together, we can defeat this disease. Everyone has a part to play."
As a result of people reporting those who aren't complying with the rules, a number of police forces have set up special online portals and hotlines.
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Let's all bring some positivity, support and fun to anyone who might find themselves in isolation as a result of the coronavirus spread. Need some entertainment? Join Isolation Nation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/coronasupport/
Featured Image Credit: ViralHog
Topics: uk news, Coronavirus