This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-52033324

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Coronavirus: Lockdown rule-breakers urged to mend their ways Coronavirus: Lockdown rule-breakers urged to mend their ways
(about 2 hours later)
The UK is in lockdown and people are being told not to leave their homes unless absolutely necessary - but not everybody is following the rules.The UK is in lockdown and people are being told not to leave their homes unless absolutely necessary - but not everybody is following the rules.
On Tuesday, police had to break up a group of more than 20 people who had gathered for a barbecue in Coventry.On Tuesday, police had to break up a group of more than 20 people who had gathered for a barbecue in Coventry.
West Midlands Police said it was "unbelievable" to see people gathered "shoulder to shoulder".West Midlands Police said it was "unbelievable" to see people gathered "shoulder to shoulder".
However, Andy Street, the mayor of the West Midlands, says he believes people are following the new restrictions.However, Andy Street, the mayor of the West Midlands, says he believes people are following the new restrictions.
The Conservative mayor said he had walked around Birmingham and noticed "a huge change".The Conservative mayor said he had walked around Birmingham and noticed "a huge change".
"Actually, everyone is saying we understand the seriousness of this and we are going to impose it on ourselves and that is the best thing," he said."Actually, everyone is saying we understand the seriousness of this and we are going to impose it on ourselves and that is the best thing," he said.
It was a sentiment echoed by Staffordshire Police's Chief Constable Gareth Morgan, who said the "majority of people" were already making "real sacrifices to save lives".It was a sentiment echoed by Staffordshire Police's Chief Constable Gareth Morgan, who said the "majority of people" were already making "real sacrifices to save lives".
But the West Midlands force's Chief Constable Dave Thompson has said police are receiving many calls about breaches of the lockdown.But the West Midlands force's Chief Constable Dave Thompson has said police are receiving many calls about breaches of the lockdown.
As well as the group that had to be dispersed after holding the barbecue in Coventry, police in Rugby expressed exasperation at the "unbelievable excuses" offered by some for being outside on Tuesday. As well as the group that were dispersed from the barbecue in Coventry, police in Shepherd's Bush, London, were called to groups of people sunbathing.
In a post on Twitter, officers team said: "Please don't just sit in groups."
Police in Rugby expressed exasperation at the "unbelievable excuses" offered by some for being outside on Tuesday.
Officers highlighted someone saying they were out to buy a bag of crisps - something that's obviously not an essential shopping trip.Officers highlighted someone saying they were out to buy a bag of crisps - something that's obviously not an essential shopping trip.
Stafford police also reported that "too many people [were] out and about" in the town on Tuesday.Stafford police also reported that "too many people [were] out and about" in the town on Tuesday.
They urged people taking exercise not to come into the town centre, but to "go somewhere more remote".They urged people taking exercise not to come into the town centre, but to "go somewhere more remote".
Currently police do not have the power to issue fines to rule-breakers, although Parliament is expected to pass emergency legislation on Thursday giving officers this right. Currently police do not have the power to issue fines to rule-breakers, although parliament is expected to pass emergency legislation on Thursday giving officers this right.
Life is being made more difficult for the police by the dozens of calls they have been receiving about things like cancelled hair appointments and whether window cleaners are allowed to work.Life is being made more difficult for the police by the dozens of calls they have been receiving about things like cancelled hair appointments and whether window cleaners are allowed to work.
There is clearly confusion over what the rules are, but police want to get the message home that they are not the people to ask such questions.There is clearly confusion over what the rules are, but police want to get the message home that they are not the people to ask such questions.
In terms of how they tackle the rule-breakers they encounter on the streets, Warwickshire Police's Chief Constable Martin Jelley says police are trying to make people understand why they need to follow the rules. In terms of how they tackle the rule-breakers they encounter, Warwickshire Police's Chief Constable Martin Jelley says police are trying to make people understand why they need to follow the rules.
"Where we do come across people believed to be in breach of the measures, our first actions will always be to explain the measures and the importance of following them during this national health emergency as we seek to persuade people to do the right thing," he said."Where we do come across people believed to be in breach of the measures, our first actions will always be to explain the measures and the importance of following them during this national health emergency as we seek to persuade people to do the right thing," he said.
In the West Midlands force area, Mr Thompson said that once the emergency legislation was passed, officers would target any larger gatherings.In the West Midlands force area, Mr Thompson said that once the emergency legislation was passed, officers would target any larger gatherings.
Anyone who wants to let police know about "large-scale breaches with large numbers of people congregating" should do so via the non-emergency 101 number or online.Anyone who wants to let police know about "large-scale breaches with large numbers of people congregating" should do so via the non-emergency 101 number or online.
But they are advised not to call 999, to keep the line clear for those in a genuine emergency. But they are advised not to call 999 as the line is needed for those in a genuine emergency.
"We would ask you to trust that we will target the most problematic behaviour," Mr Thompson said."We would ask you to trust that we will target the most problematic behaviour," Mr Thompson said.
Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, and sign up for local news updates direct to your phone.Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, and sign up for local news updates direct to your phone.