Lockdown protest in central London rattles police
As the UK struggles to emerge from the coronavirus lockdown, there are tentative signs of public unrest, in addition to intensifying disobedience of lockdown rules.
In what is widely reported to be the first organized protest against the lockdown in the UK, police made a number of arrests and issued fines as they broke up a small but determined demonstration in central London.
The protest was concentrated near Westminster Bridge with protesters brandishing banners emblazoned with defiant messages including “no consent” and “we will not be tricked, tracked and trapped”.
The first organized anti-lockdown protest comes on the heels of the government’s continuing confusion with ministers accused of giving out mixed messages to the public over when and under what conditions the lockdown will be lifted.
Although today’s protest was relatively small, the government will be fearful that it could grow in the days and weeks ahead as lockdown fatigue intensifies.
Government fears are amplified by less strident but much more widespread forms of protest, notably public disobedience of the rules.
The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) is now openly admitting it is losing the battle to deter people from gathering in groups in parks and other open spaces to enjoy the warm weather.
Hackney Police (which is part of the MPS) released a statement on its official Twitter page bemoaning its "losing battle" against deterring people from gathering in parks.
#OpPIMA and sadly we’re fighting a losing battle in the parks today. Literally hundreds of people sitting having pizza, beers, wines. As always a big thank you to those that are observing the guidelines #StayHomeSaveLives #ProtectOurNHS #lockdownuk pic.twitter.com/U2eFTKTDGJ
— Hackney Police (gov.uk/coronavirus) (@MPSHackney) May 9, 2020
Meanwhile, HM Coastguard (responsible for maritime search and rescue) claims it had the highest number of call-outs since the lockdown began on Friday (May 08), with 97 incidents - a 54 percent increase compared with April's daily average.
Incidents at the coast have shown a sharp increase in past 24 hours. Please #StayHomeSaveLives and #ProtectTheNHS. https://t.co/PCXwyxKu6N
— HM Coastguard (@HMCoastguard) May 9, 2020
If the unrest grows the government is expected to rely on the armed forces to restore order. As part of Operation Rescript the British army has contingency plans in place to decisively intervene in the coronavirus crisis.
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