LOCKDOWN WARNING
PM warns of new lockdown after more than 500,000 swarm to beaches on hottest day of the year
DOWNING Street warned of a fresh lockdown after more than half a million people swarmed to beaches on the hottest day of the year.
Sunseekers ignored signs pleading: “Too busy? Head home!” and caused chaos as the heat hit 33.4C.
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Boozy brawls broke out, coastal roads were gridlocked and sands strewn with litter.
Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood said police told him 500,000 visitors were in the area.
Town hall chiefs called for extra cops and roadblocks to deal with covidiots.
There were similar scenes at Brighton, Margate in Kent, Camber Sands in East Sussex, and Southend, Essex.
Up to 200 sunbathers fought in front of families at Orcombe Point near Exmouth, Devon. Witnesses claim some were taking drugs.
Some virus limits are due to be lifted from July 4.
But following the mayhem, Boris Johnson’s spokesman said: “The PM and the government scientific and medical advisers have stressed the great importance of the public continuing to adhere to social distancing advice.
“If the rules don’t continue to be followed and the virus starts to spread exponentially again, we will look at having to reverse some of the easements we’ve put in place.”
'CASES WILL RISE AGAIN'
Chief medical officer Chris Whitty added: “Covid-19 has gone down due to the efforts of everyone but is still in circulation.
“If we don’t follow the social-distancing guidance, then cases will rise again.”
But Bournemouth’s beach was filled to capacity for a second day running by sunseekers.
Council leader Vikki Slade fumed: “We are appalled at the scenes in the last 24-48 hours.
“The irresponsible behaviour and actions of so many people is just shocking. Our services are stretched to the absolute hilt trying to keep everyone safe.
“We have had no choice now but to declare a major incident and initiate an emergency response. Please do not come. We are not able to welcome you yet.”
Furloughed workers battled through traffic to reach beaches.
Many ditched cars, leading to a record 558 parking fines.
Dorset Police increased beach patrols. Assistant Chief Constable Sam de Reya said: “We strongly advise the public to think twice before heading to the area.”
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Cops shut routes to Durdle Door and said: “Please do not venture to the coast today. All parking spaces near the beaches are full.
“Remember: You aren’t stuck in traffic, you are the traffic.”
Hundreds were stuck in a 20-mile jam outside Camber Sands. A local fumed: “Why did people think it would be any different going to the coast today.
“Next week the stampede will be to the pub. Chill people, wait a few days for the hysteria to subside. The beach isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.”
Health Secretary Matt Hancock tweeted: “We all want to be outside enjoying the glorious sunshine but please do it safely and stick to social distancing rules.”
Tory Mr Ellwood said alcohol sales should be restricted in shops near Bournemouth beach.
He added: “Going to the beach like this is selfish. Lives are being put in danger.
“If there were a big event in London, police would call in help from other forces and that is what we need here.
“The restrictions and rules are being flouted and we risk undoing all the good work and effort that we have put in for 13 weeks.”
Another 33 tons of litter was taken from the beach morning, following eight tons on Wednesday. Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns called for drivers to be fined and vehicles clamped if seen on approach roads.
Mr Burns said: “The pictures from the beach are obscene. Local authorities can only respond based on guidance from government.”
Rich Harle tweeted: “What was Boris saying about being able to rely on the commonsense of the British public?”
Resident Helena Sellers said: “This is making me so angry.
“It’s not just the fact that adults simply refuse to do as they are asked, or the fact they know they can be risking other people’s lives, but the fact they bring along their children and put them at risk.”
Another local raged: “Gotta wonder how many are on furlough but won’t go back to work as ‘It’s not safe’.
“Yet they are all happy to go to a beach with thousands of other sweaty strangers.”
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Forecasters issued a Level 3 heat alert, one below a national emergency.
England’s top temperature was 33.4C (92F) at Heathrow.
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Storms started in the South West, and up to 2in of rain could fall in an hour today.
Midweek afternoon just like a big party
By Graeme Culliford in Bournemouth
THERE’S a large banner on Bournemouth Pier thanking NHS staff for their hard work, while signs outside the kiosks bear stern instructions about two-metre social distancing.
But today, they were like relics from a forgotten age.
As I stood on the sand, the hot air was thick with marijuana smoke and music blasted from hundreds of Bluetooth speakers as thousands of revellers turned a midweek afternoon into a chaotic party.
Delighted children ran into a sea already heaving with gangs of laughing lads.
Girls took selfies and popped prosecco corks as they lay cheek by jowl with grannies on the hottest day of the year so far.
There were West Country accents, Londoners, even the odd Northerner. Some were making six-hour round trips after seeing images of the beach yesterday and realising that “staying alert” seems to have a different meaning here.
Approach roads were gridlocked from 9am and, once there, people left cars wherever they would fit.
By 1pm, crowds were swarming from the high street as teens flirted on the sand, zipliners launched off the pier and distant jetskis roared.
Long queues formed at ice cream kiosks as sweat-soaked staff tried to keep up in scenes unimaginable a few weeks ago.
Self-employed brickie Richard James, 34, was among the many taking a day off to hit the beach.
The dad of three, from Southampton, who was with six pals, said: “We’ve got loads of beers and a bottle of vodka and we’re going to have a few drinks in the sun then head back and watch the football.
“It feels great to be out having a good time finally and I’m not too worried about the coronavirus.”
Fish and chip chef Tom Gallagher, 26, from Bournemouth, said: “I’ve worked the last ten days straight and told my boss I needed to take today off so I could have a break.”
Tom, carrying three £5 pints of lager from a beer truck, added: “It’s nice to see things back to normal and people out enjoying themselves.”
Furloughed Jennifer Patrick, 58, who had travelled 100-plus miles from Ealing, West London, to soak up the sun with her 20-year-old daughter, said: “I was worried about the coronavirus to start with but I’m not too fussed now.”
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Drone footage captures moment man belly-flops 200ft off Durdle Door arch
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