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Coronavirus lockdown leaves British police grappling with unprecedented powers

Analysis: Perceived heavy-handedness could permanently damage public relationship with police, Lizzie Dearden writes

Tuesday 31 March 2020 20:27 BST
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Some officers have put up roadblocks, others have issued fines
Some officers have put up roadblocks, others have issued fines

When the UK’s coronavirus lockdown was imposed on 23 March, the laws to enforce the unprecedented restrictions did not exist.

The prime minister told the public that they must only leave home for limited purposes, including shopping for necessities and taking one form of exercise a day.

Boris Johnson added: “If you don’t follow the rules, the police will have the powers to enforce them, including through fines and dispersing gatherings.”

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