PSNI warns public to keep off local beaches

PSNI warns public to keep off local beaches

1 April 2020

PEOPLE have been warned not to exercise or congregate in local beaches or beauty spots during the COVID-19 lockdown.

A senior police officer issued some stark advice after the PSNI received reports of dozens of people visiting the local beaches and Newcastle during the weekend.

There were unconfirmed reports that it mainly involved groups of young people who had met to drink and socialise.

Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd said police had received reports of people visiting Tyrella and Murlough beaches and Newcastle.

“The public should be well aware of the advice from our public health partners and the government about social distancing and movement and on that basis we would encourage people not to drive to local beauty spots for their daily exercise as others may have the same idea and social distancing may not be achievable.”

Slieve Croob councillor Willie Clarke also issued a warning on his Facebook page.

He said that it had brought to his attention “by a number of concerned constituents” that a minority of the youth of Newcastle are not taking the two meter distancing rule serious.

He added: “We are trying to keep all our citizens safe at this time and the spread of this virus is at the forefront of everyone’s mind.

“We do not want to be in the situation where a decision has to be made by doctors who lives or who dies. Please stay at home and keep everyone safe.”

The Sinn Féin councillor said he was made aware of a party organised in Newcastle’s Donard Park.

He told young people: “You are in danger of transmitting this deadly virus into your homes, which may kill your loved ones.”

The warnings came a day before the NI Executive gave the PSNI new Coronavirus Bill Emergency Powers.

Chief Constable Simon Byrne said that the powers were in response to the “very serious and imminent threat to public health posed by the virus.”

He said: “We will continue to police with the cooperation of our community providing the best possible service to the public, while also rightly protecting our officers and staff.

He said police will use the new dispersal powers to protect the health of the public using a four-phase approach:

Engage with the public to encourage voluntary compliance.

Explain why dispersal is vital to reduce the spread of the virus.

Encourage people to disperse.

Enforce where necessary when people do not listen and put others at risk.

The chief constable said that the new powers mean that if a person commits an offence of failing to comply with any such direction or restriction imposed on them without reasonable excuse, officers will consider an appropriate disposal such as advice and guidance or a Community Resolution Notice (CRN).

However, he added that if required, a penalty notice of £60 could be enforced.

He explained: “The police do not want to criminalise people; we simply want to ensure that people follow the regulations.

“For those who continue to disregard the NI Executive directions, the fine can be doubled each time and summary prosecution can be sought for those who refuse to pay or comply. The £60 fine can fall to £30 if paid within 14 days. If a person has already received a fixed penalty notice, the amount will increase to £120 and double on each further repeat offence.”