West Yorkshire Police urges people to stay at home as sunny Bank Holiday forecast

The Met Office predicts temperatures will hit highs of 21 degrees on Thursday, with sunny intervals throughout Bank Holiday Friday.

But the force has reminded people to continue to follow social distancing rules and resist the temptation to gather in a friend or neighbour's garden, particularly during VE Day celebrations.

Street parties are strictly banned and a gathering of more than two people in a public place would breach movement restrictions.

Assistant Chief Constable Tim Kingsman said: “I know communities will want to celebrate this significant anniversary and with the anticipated good weather, the temptation to go outdoors will increase.

“I want people to celebrate safely and follow the national advice is to do so in their own homes, on their doorsteps, or if possible and safe to do so, in their own gardens. At present, there has been no relaxation of the rules, so people shouldn’t be thinking about large gatherings such as street parties.

“Being out on the street for such a purpose - or gathering in a neighbour or friend’s garden - would constitute a breach in relation to both ‘movement’ - leaving your house without reasonable excuse, and ‘gatherings’ – gathering in a public place of more than two people.

“So far, most of the public in West Yorkshire have been really compliant with the rules. I thank them for that and hope it will continue in this critical time.”

West Yorkshire Police says its approach to enforcing lockdown rules has been to follow the four E’s principle: to Engage, Explain, Encourage and as a last resort to Enforce.

Figures released at the end of April revealed West Yorkshire is one of the worst force areas in England for the number of fines being handed out to lockdown flouters

ACC Kingsman added: “This remains our position. We have really positive engagement with communities through our neighbourhood teams, who will continue to be there for people throughout this health crisis and beyond.

“I realise this is a really difficult time for everyone but our priority is to keep people safe, now and afterwards, when things return to some level of normality.

“Our focus is on working with communities and our experience has been that when we have had to explain social distancing requirement in more detail, people have generally understood and heeded the message.”

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