Coronavirus: Motorist crashes into fence after going out for drive 'because he was bored' in lockdown
A motorist has been criticised by police after they crashed into a metal fence while allegedly out for a drive because they were bored during coronavirus lockdown.
The Ford Fiesta came off the road while on a non-essential journey in Chelmsford in Essex on Tuesday, Essex Roads Police Unit South said.
Pictures from the scene show part of the fence bent over, while rubbish from a bin is strewn over the ground.
The police unit wrote on Twitter: "Driver of this car was bored so went out for a drive!
"Us and the ambulance crew are both really busy and don't need extra work.
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"Another person breaching the regulations. Please don't, please stay home.
"Driver has been reported.”
The incident came as Britain entered its third week of lockdown amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
Police have been given powers to disperse, fine or arrest people they feel are breaking the rules set out by the government to stop the spread of COVID-19.
A YouGov poll found that nearly half of the public support the police approach to enforcing lockdown rules, but a third think officers' actions have gone too far in some cases.
The research indicated 42% of respondents fully support the approach taken by the police, but a further 32% felt in some cases the police had gone too far.
The findings come after there were claims some forces had been overzealous in their approach to policing the new laws and guidance and how officers should act.
Some 14% of people who took part in the survey said the police should take tougher action, while 6% felt the police approach to date had been too heavy-handed.
Just 2% of the public said the police should have no role in enforcing the lockdown.
According to the survey, 72% were comfortable with the police arresting people who failed to comply with an instruction to return home, while 22% were uncomfortable.
A similar proportion (75%) were comfortable with police issuing fines to people who breached lockdown rules, while 19% felt uncomfortable about this.
National Police Chiefs' Council chairman Martin Hewitt said: "This is a public health emergency and we need the support of the public in ensuring these social distancing measures are adhered to.
“Help the NHS and those most vulnerable in our communities by staying home unless your journey is essential. We are grateful to everyone who has already followed this advice.”
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