Police get more calls over schoolkids mixing with their mates as Northamptonshire parks get busy again

Police are alarmed by a rise in calls about schoolkids getting together following relaxations in the Covid-19 lockdown laws.

Northamptonshire's parks and open spaces were the busiest they have been for two months over the weekend following Prime Minister Boris Johnson declared them no longer off limits last week.

Mixing among different households is still forbidden by the Government guidance on social distancing, yet a spokesman for Northamptonshire's Neighbourhood Policing team warned: "We are increasingly seeing reports of groups of children out and about with friends from other households.

"Please remember the current Covid-19 legislation only allows for one member of a household to be out with one member of another household for exercise while maintaining social distance

"Therefore at this time children should not be meeting up with their friends."

The effect of the Covid-19 lockdown on children was underlined in a recent Police Q&A with kids where the top question was 'I'm missing my friends, when can I go back to school'.

Check what you can and cannot do under the Government guidelines HERE.

New Government guidelines issued last week allows people to spend time more outdoors and even use sports facilities such as basketball courts, but warned "you can only meet one other person from a different household outdoors.

"At all times, you should continue to observe social distancing guidelines when you are outside your home, including ensuring you are two metres away from anyone outside your household."

"As before, you cannot gather in a group of more than two, excluding members of your own household."