Police chief left fighting for life by coronavirus hits out at lockdown breakers after bank holiday blowout
A POLICE chief left fighting for his life from coronavirus has today hit out at lockdown breakers after the bank holiday blowout.
Chief Superintendent Phil Dolby of the West Midlands Police slammed the “increasingly blasé way” people were treating the lockdown put in place to stop the spread of coronavirus.
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Brits flocked to parks and beaches over Friday and Saturday to enjoy the long weekend – with cops saying they were “fighting a losing battle” to keep people safe.
And taking to Twitter, Chief Supt Dolby wrote: “A month ago today, on a ventilator & in a coma, I started to breath for myself! I am v disturbed by the increasingly blasé way ppl are treating the lockdown.
“With lack of answers around immunity, my family & I are going to remain shielding. I can’t go thru that again. #Covid19”.
The cop had been admitted to Worcester Royal Hospital in the early hours of 29 March – days later placed on a ventilator in intensive care.
And after fighting for his life for almost two weeks, the dad-of-three – who has worked with the West Midlands Police for 26 years – was given a standing ovation as he was finally released from hospital.
So far, the UK death toll has climbed to more than 31,000 with more than 215,000 cases.
And while the country has passed the peak of the virus, Prime Minister Boris Johnson today warned the public they needed to “stay alert”.
The Prime Minister will today unveil his “roadmap” out of the lockdown – expected to urge “maximum caution” as he unveils his road map out of lockdown.
But police yesterday admitted they were fighting a “losing battle” against lockdown rule breakers as Brits packed out parks to bask in the bank holiday heatwave.
MPS Hackney posted a picture of groups of people sunbathing in a park as they revealed some were downing beer and wine and tucking into pizza.
Tonight, Boris Johnson is expected to bump up fines – with cops today slamming the government’s response so far as “wishy-washy”.
Anyone repeatedly flouting the rules could be slapped with fines of up to £3,200 under the new regime or first time offenders could have to fork out £100 – nearly double the current penalty.
Meanwhile, officers in Brighton were forced to set up a checkpoint to turn drivers away as bored families tried heading to the beach.
Before 11am, cops had issued 12 fines and turned around 19 cars including one that had travelled 100 miles from Buckinghamshire.
Humberside Police also flagged concerns that drivers were abusing the empty streets to speed.
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They tweeted: “Several vehicles doing in excess of 100mph this weekend.
“We are out and about supporting Safer Roads Humber and ask people to keep speed down to keep yourself and others safe.
“Please stay at home and if you need to drive your car or ride your motorbike, keep your speed down.”
In Thanet, about 850 people were ordered off the beach as they flouted the lockdown on Saturday.
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