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-derbyshire-52095857

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

Version 1 Version 2
Coronavirus: Lord Sumption brands Derbyshire Police 'disgraceful' Coronavirus: Lord Sumption brands Derbyshire Police 'disgraceful'
(about 4 hours later)
A former Supreme Court judge has likened Derbyshire Police's approach to the restrictions on public movement to "a police state".A former Supreme Court judge has likened Derbyshire Police's approach to the restrictions on public movement to "a police state".
Lord Sumption told Radio 4's World At One the use of drones to film walkers in the Peak District was "disgraceful" and "shamed our policing traditions".Lord Sumption told Radio 4's World At One the use of drones to film walkers in the Peak District was "disgraceful" and "shamed our policing traditions".
The force was criticised after posting some of the footage on social media last week.The force was criticised after posting some of the footage on social media last week.
A spokesman said "much smaller numbers" visited beauty spots this weekend.A spokesman said "much smaller numbers" visited beauty spots this weekend.
Derbyshire Police deployed drones to monitor areas of the Peak District National Park after public outrage when crowds defied government advice to stay indoors.Derbyshire Police deployed drones to monitor areas of the Peak District National Park after public outrage when crowds defied government advice to stay indoors.
The force said the advice it issued to the public following the overcrowding "was in line with national government advice and echoed what people in our communities were saying".The force said the advice it issued to the public following the overcrowding "was in line with national government advice and echoed what people in our communities were saying".
However, Lord Sumption said the efforts to dissuade people from "travelling to take exercise in the open country" were excessive.However, Lord Sumption said the efforts to dissuade people from "travelling to take exercise in the open country" were excessive.
He argued that such behaviours "are not contrary to the regulations simply because ministers have said that they would prefer us not to".He argued that such behaviours "are not contrary to the regulations simply because ministers have said that they would prefer us not to".
Lord Sumption continued: "The tradition of policing in this country is that policemen are citizens in uniform, they are not members of a disciplined hierarchy operating just at the government's command."Lord Sumption continued: "The tradition of policing in this country is that policemen are citizens in uniform, they are not members of a disciplined hierarchy operating just at the government's command."
"The police have no power to enforce ministers' preferences but only legal regulations which don't go anything like as far as the government's guidance," he said."The police have no power to enforce ministers' preferences but only legal regulations which don't go anything like as far as the government's guidance," he said.
"I have to say that the behaviour of Derbyshire Police in trying to shame people into using their undoubted right to travel to take exercise in the country and wrecking beauty spots in the fells so people don't want to go there is frankly disgraceful."I have to say that the behaviour of Derbyshire Police in trying to shame people into using their undoubted right to travel to take exercise in the country and wrecking beauty spots in the fells so people don't want to go there is frankly disgraceful.
"This is what a police state is like. It's a state in which the government can issue orders or express preferences with no legal authority and the police will enforce ministers' wishes."This is what a police state is like. It's a state in which the government can issue orders or express preferences with no legal authority and the police will enforce ministers' wishes.
"I have to say that most police forces have behaved in a thoroughly sensible and moderate fashion. Derbyshire Police have shamed our policing traditions.""I have to say that most police forces have behaved in a thoroughly sensible and moderate fashion. Derbyshire Police have shamed our policing traditions."
Responding to criticism of the dying of the water at the Blue Lagoon near Buxton, Derbyshire Police pointed out the "tactic" has been deployed since 2013, adding it has received "high levels of local public support".
Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk.Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk.