Police chiefs have said they are struggling to enforce social distancing rules outside as revellers gathered to enjoy the first weekend since lockdown restrictions were eased.
Thousands of people flooded back to bars and pubs to enjoy the first weekend since lockdown restrictions were eased, with rules stating they must eat and drink outdoors.
Outdoor seating in pubs and restaurants across the country - including London, Leeds and Newcastle - were swamped on Saturday night as partygoers made the most of their new-found freedoms.
It was estimated that the 50,000 pubs and restaurants selling alcohol would serve six million pints to mark Super Saturday .
Three police officers THE rigours of policing the pandemic have left some Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers suffering from worrying levels of stress. The concerning trend is affecting forces nationally with a Police Federation of England and Wales finding nearly 80 per cent of officers have struggled with their mental health and wellbeing in the last year. April marks Stress Awareness Month. Greater Manchester Police Federation Chairman, Stu Berry, said: “Stress is a very real problem that can affect officers’ professional and personal lives. It is a very normal issue but it is not something that they should be expected to struggle on with.
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Police will not be able to respond to all breaches of coronavirus restrictions as crime rises towards pre-pandemic levels, a senior officer has warned.
Police leaders expect a rise in violence, including stabbings, and all types of offences as coronavirus restrictions are gradually eased in England.
The national lockdown that ended on 29 March caused a dramatic reduction in crime, similar to that seen at the beginning of the pandemic last year.
But with looser restrictions now allowing more people to leave home and gather in public spaces, figures are already rising.
From Monday, pubs and restaurants will be allowed to start serving customers outside, and shops, gyms, hairdressers and other businesses can reopen.
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Kill the Bill demonstrators clashed with police in Bristol while marching through the city yesterday, ahead of a second National Day of Action against the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.
Protesters defied the coronavirus lockdown as they gathered at College Green at 6pm before marching through the south-western city, which has recently experienced its worst rioting in years.
One male was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit public nuisance during the seventh Kill the Bill demo to have take place, a spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police told Bristol Live.
Yesterday s demo against the Government s proposed policing law, which would give officers sweeping powers to crack down on non-violent protests, followed a raucous rally in Parliament Square, London last Saturday.
The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police will quit this summer amid backlash over the force s handling of Black Lives Matter and Kill the Bill protests.
Andy Marsh will not seek to extend his contract when it expires at the beginning of July, saying it was a difficult decision to make .
Unrest following rallies against the government s proposed Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill in Bristol over recent weeks led to claims that policing had been too aggressive.
Force bosses were also criticised for failing to intervene to stop Black Lives Matter protesters throwing a statue of slave trader Edward Colston into Bristol Harbour last summer.