Police break up group gatherings in Shrewsbury on last weekend of strictest lockdown
Police have been patrolling Shrewsbury town centre to break up groups of youngsters drinking and breaking coronavirus laws.
Officers took to the Quarry and other parts of the town on Saturday and ordered groups to leave on the final weekend that Covid rules ban people from leaving home without a "reasonable excuse".
A dispersal notice was issued and was set to stay in place throughout Sunday.
A spokesman from Shrewsbury Police said: "We have spent a lot of time using section 34 dispersal powers to disperse large gatherings of youths drinking alcohol in the town centre and Quarry park. A dispersal notice remains in place this weekend."
The police action happened hours before the restrictions in England are due to be relaxed.
More:
From Monday, people will be able to meet up in groups legally for the first time in months.
It will see the return of the ‘rule of six’ and the end of the ‘stay at home’ message. And outdoor areas like the Quarry are likely to be busy again as temperatures edge towards 20C (68F) this week.
People will be able to meet either in groups of six from any number of households, or meet more people from two households only, in any outdoor space. This includes parks and private gardens, with the government requesting people stay local, and maintain social distancing.
Indoor meetings in England cannot happen until May, and even then will be limited to the ‘rule of six’.
However, the aim is to end all social contact restrictions in June, allowing unlimited gatherings of people both inside and out.
Everyone is urged to continue working from home and minimise the number of journeys they make as much as possible.
Some sporting activities will again be allowed next week and outdoor facilities including golf courses, tennis and basketball courts and open-air swimming pools can reopen. Formally organised outdoor sports such as five-a-side leagues can also resume.
