150 flout lockdown rules in West Midlands over Easter weekend
More than 150 people were caught flouting lockdown restrictions in the West Midlands over the Easter weekend.
Police gave 151 "instructions to leave" to people who were outside without a good reason. Six people were fined, in line with new police powers to enforce the coronavirus lockdown.
Walsall Arboretum was closed at the request of police after visitors ignored lockdown rules, while Quarry Bank Park was already shut.
Officers faced a challenge to ensure everyone adhered to the measures during the warm bank holiday weekend when temperatures reached the mid-twenties.
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It came as the UK entered its fourth week of the lockdown, with no signal yet from the Government as when it is expected to be lifted. A review will take place this week but it is widely expected the lockdown will continue.
Most people were told to go home on Saturday, when 68 instructions to leave were given as the arrival of warm weather came at the worst possible time for police and the Government. There were 50 on Easter Sunday and 33 on Good Friday.
West Midlands Police also revealed that since April 1 a total of 510 directions to leave were given, and 29 fixed penalty notices.
It demonstrated a rise over the Easter weekend, where almost a third of all directions to leave during April were given as dozens refused to abide by the guidelines and stay in.
Officers asked Walsall Council to close the park due to concerns over how many people were ignoring social distancing rules.
Council leader Mike Bird condemned those ignoring the lockdown as "stupid".
He said: "People are being so stupid, we even saw some people sunbathing in Willenhall Cemetery this weekend.
"I hope the groups who have been going to the Arboretum and playing football and other games will think of the people who have passed away."
The force said it did not have figures for parties or mass gatherings that had been broken up, after nearly 500 parties were shut down in Greater Manchester last weekend.
Chiefs in the West Midlands have praised the public who they say, on the whole, have complied with the lockdown
It comes amid continued speculation about how long lockdown restrictions will remain in place and about the Government's exit strategy.
Reports over the weekend suggested the roll-out of an app to inform people of anyone they have been in contact with over recent days as having Covid-19 was the most likely way out.
