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Wednesday, Apr 01, 2026

Cops blast lockdown rules that 'make no sense'

B&Q's decision to reopen 130 stores saw massive queues forming outside its outlets. Ken Marsh, chair of the Met Police Federation, said: 'You can't have a scenario where police are telling two people in a park not to sit on a bench but 50 yards away there's 300 people, can't put a fag packet between them, queuing to go into a DIY store.

Boris Johnson was today told to 'get a grip' by police chiefs over nonsensical lockdown rules that saw lone sunbathers scolded but hundreds allowed to gather outside B&Qs across Britain this weekend.

With no exit plan in sight, large numbers of Britons went out to shop and enjoy the weather over the weekend amid fears the lockdown appears to be unravelling.

Police were seen speaking to individuals sunbathing alone or with a partner in Greenwich Park, Hyde Park and St James' Park in London yesterday.

Yet B&Q's decision to reopen 130 stores saw massive queues forming outside its outlets in Watford, Edinburgh, Bristol and Swansea, as people used the shutdown to catch up on DIY.



Today Ken Marsh, chair of the Met Police Federation, said: 'You can't have a scenario where police are telling two people in a park not to sit on a bench but 50 yards away there's 300 people, can't put a fag packet between them, queuing to go into a DIY store.

He told TalkRadio : 'If officers are confused about all this then so will the public be.

'Police officers are on the front line of combating the coronavirus crisis. We need clear and unambiguous laws, guidance and communication from the Government around what the public can and can't do. What is essential and what isn't'.

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