A group of police officers have been hit with £200 fines after they were caught flouting strict lockdown measures.
The nine officers were spotted tucking into breakfast at The Chef House Kitchen in Greenwich, south east London on Saturday, January 9.
Pictures snapped by a passer-by saw the group of police officers flouting social distancing measures as they sat close together. Their actions stand in direct contrast to the UK’s strict government guidance, which prohibits any gatherings in indoor spaces and has forbade restaurants for letting customers sit inside.
A Met Police spokesperson said: “Nine Metropolitan Police officers have been fined for breaching Covid-19 legislation while on duty.
“Photos emerged online earlier this month which appeared to show a group of uniformed officers from the South East Basic Command Unit dining in a local cafe.
“Following an investigation, it was determined that the officers involved should be issued with fixed penalty notices to the value of £200 each.”
At the time, officers were blasted by the passer-by as “hypocritical” after reading about instances of members of the public being slapped with fines.
Chief Superintendent Rob Atkin said: “Police officers are tasked with enforcing the legislation that has been introduced to stop the spread of the virus and the public rightly expect that they will set an example through their own actions.
“It is disappointing that on this occasion, these officers have fallen short of that expectation.
“It is right that they will pay a financial penalty and that they will be asked to reflect on their choices.”
The police were spotted by Brian Jennings, as the 44-year-old was out getting some exercise.
At the time of the incident, the IT manager, of Blackheath, said: “There’s a large police depot on the Thames riverside near me. I walk past it a few times a week because it’s a nice quiet place to take exercise.
“Regularly, first thing in the morning there will be half a dozen squad cars outside and every table full of police officers having breakfast in there.
“It’s not a one off it’s been going on for a few months. You read about people getting fined in the papers and it seems hypocritical as there’s no attempt at social distancing in the cafe.
“It’s a public cafe and it’s open and its serving table service in lockdown – it is not good.
“It’s about as bad as it gets in the UK with a virus and it’s insensitive and stupid. I think it’s really bad.
He added: “I find the regular, continued flouting of social distancing, and lockdown regulations by the police hypocritical and foolish at this time when the infection rates in Greenwich Borough are among the highest in the UK.”
