Warning issued after people are seen sunbathing and socialising in Bath

Residents across the city are being warned that sunbathing in public spaces such as local parks is not an essential reason to leave your home, and police are stepping up patrols.

Royal Victoria Park in Bath

Avon and Somerset Police has confirmed that it will be stepping up patrols of Royal Victoria Park and other local open spaces during the current “lockdown” situation across the country.

Sunbathing in your local park is NOT an essential reason for leaving your home. We will be continuing our patrols of the Royal Victoria Park and other local parks today. #StayHomeSaveLives pic.twitter.com/gnmRrE8wuF

— ASPolice Bath and NE Somerset (@ASPBathNES) March 25, 2020

Restrictions on residents leaving their homes were brought in on Monday night by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, in a bid to tackle the spread of coronavirus between households.

People have been told to only leave their house for the following reasons:

• Shopping for basic necessities, as infrequently as possible
• One form of exercise a day – for example a run, walk, or cycle – alone or with members of your household
• Any medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person
• Travelling to and from work, but only where this is absolutely necessary and cannot be done from home.

There have also been reports of multiple families meeting with their children at smaller parks across Bath, even though the majority have been closed by Bath & North East Somerset Council.

Earlier this week, Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens issued the following statement: “Advice given so far, to ensure social distancing, has not had the desired effect on changing people’s social habits and behaviours.

“I would urge people to stop wasting time thinking of any reason to believe that the rules don’t apply to you. The starting point should be that these rules apply to you and you must follow them.

“These new, more stringent, measures announced by the Prime Minister are a clear message to everybody on exactly what we must do to stop the rapid transmission of this virus.

“The Chief Constable and his frontline officers and staff have the full support of me and my team in the Office of the PCC, to ensure they have everything they need to keep communities safe and support our NHS colleagues in the fight against Covid19.

“It is incumbent upon us to do the right thing to protect the most vulnerable people in our communities and lessen the impact of this crisis on our frontline NHS colleagues and policemen and women by following these tougher restrictions on our everyday lives until further notice.

“Please stay home, save lives.”