Concern in UK over crowded beaches and illegal parties
By Viviana Garcia
London, Jun 26 (efe-epa).- Crowded beaches and illegal parties have caused alarm in the United Kingdom as the country continues with de-escalation of its Covid-19 lockdown.
Authorities in Britain, which has reported more than 43,200 deaths from the outbreak, have expressed mounting concerns about an increasing number of mass gatherings spurred on by a heatwave in the country.
Police officers were attacked as they tried to disperse an illegal party on Thursday night in the Notting Hill area of west London.
Several participants pelted law enforcement with objects in the second consecutive night of violence in the capital.
On Wednesday night 22 officers were injured in clashes at a similar illegal gathering in Brixton, south London.
UK home secretary Priti Patel described the incidents as “appalling” and said police “have my full backing in tackling criminality and enforcing the law”.
It came after lockdown measures were relaxed and a spell of warm weather, with temperatures exceeding 30C, saw many people congregating in streets, parks and beaches.
Many British beachgoers have not adhered to physical distancing this week, prompting the government to threaten to close beaches to avoid a second wave of contagion.
Around 2,000 football fans gathered outside Anfield Stadium to celebrate Liverpool winning the Premier League.
