Video shows customer arriving at barbers as police confront owner over breaches
Video taken in a barbershop shows a man taking a call from a customer saying “Hello, I’m out back” as officers confront him for breaching coronavirus regulations.
The owner answered the phone while the officers were standing next to him and the exchange was caught on bodycam.
Nearly 1,000 fines have been issued by Kent Police since January 1, with other breaches including an an unofficial football match for more than 20 people on Sunday.
It comes as the county faces increased testing amid concerns over variants of Covid-19.
Police bodycam footage shows two officers arriving at the barbershop in Northfleet last Wednesday after receiving reports of a business breaching regulations.
They speak to a man, who confirms he is the owner.
One officer says to him: “I’ll level with you, sir. You’re not doing appointments for people still during lockdown are you?”
He initially says no, but later says: “I’m not cutting much, honestly.”
The man’s phone rings and the caller appears to say “Hello, I’m out back” and “You rung me earlier”.
One of the officers is seen going to the back door to take a look.
Later, the officers say to the owner: “You quite clearly just had a customer phone you up.
“He arranged an appointment with you to come cut his hair earlier on. So you are quite clearly still cutting people’s hair.”
Assistant Chief Constable Claire Nix said: “Whilst it is encouraging that the rate of infection is falling and more people are being vaccinated, now is not the time to drop our guard and be complacent, we are not yet at the stage where lockdown can be relaxed.
“We will not hesitate in taking action against those who blatantly ignore lockdown measures and put some of the most vulnerable members of our community at risk.”
Breaches in Kent between Friday and Sunday included:
– Four men who were part of a group of 20 involved in a football match in Dartford
– A woman and four men fined over a party after officers attended an address in Hawkinge
– Five women fined over a 21st birthday party involving around 30 people in Canterbury
