Police break up 40 men playing football and cricket in park
Police broke up a large group of men playing football and cricket in a West Midlands park despite lockdown rules.
Around 40 people were found playing matches in All Saints Park, near Winson Green prison, in Birmingham, on Sunday.
They told police they believed outdoor sport was still permitted.
Police did not issue any fines but advised the men of the latest Covid-19 restrictions. The group apologised and left the park.
Under lockdown rules, which came into effect on Thursday, people can still exercise in outdoors public places.
But that is only either individually, with people from the same household or with one person from a different household.
A spokesman for the force said: "We were called to reports of a large group of men playing football and cricket at a park off Lodge Road, Hockley at just before 11am Sunday, in breach of lockdown restrictions.
"Officers attended at 2.10pm and found about 40 players involved in matches, who said they believed outdoor sport was still permitted.
"Officers advised the groups of the latest Covid-19 restrictions and the men apologised and promptly left the park."
An onlooker said: "There were about 20 people playing cricket. Some were in their cricket whites. It looked like a serious game.
"The footballers had mini-goals up and played three games by the time the police turned up. It took them ages.
"Two officers wearing face masks pleaded with the groups to pack up and go.
"They said they didn’t realise that sports were banned."
