I am still unclear why people seem to have the view that Derbyshire Police are being unreasonable.
So you think it is ok for the police to go around saying things are illegal when they are, in fact, not illegal?
For Derbyshire Police to do this the day after a former Supreme Court judge called them out on it just seems to be deliberately antagonistic.
There are ways of communicating the message that driving 20 miles to go for a walk is extremely antisocial without just making laws up.
just that some people like to think the guidelines are not what they actually are.
A guideline is just that- a guideline. If the police were saying "driving 20 miles to walk here is selfish and irresponsible, bugger off" I wouldn't have the same issue. Although I would question whether it is a necessary part of their duties in a time when we should be minimising contact.
How is flying a drone at a distance and not over people's heads a serious abuse of power?
The drone was not at a distance, it was low flying, and the people in the video were clearly identifiable. As they were breaking no law, it is extremely distasteful to see the police behaving like this so they can get a few likes on Facebook.
retired Supreme Court justice to completely fail to appreciate the difference between a toxic, caustic, derelict, flooded quarry that has needed deterrence for years and a 'natural beauty spot'?
To be fair, Derbyshire Police did not, in their press release, say they were dying the water black because it has a pH of 11.5 and anyone who jumps in is effectively swimming in a mild bleach. They actually referred to the location in their own press release as a "picturesque location" and said they did it because of Covid-19.
So Lord Sumption is entitled to assume that, when the police say they've shut a "picturesque location" due to visitors ignoring Covid-19 guidelines, that it is actually a picturesque location and that they've overstated the law.
Merseyside Police are also being quite ruthless towards people exercising along their coastal areas - such as Southport, Crosby, New Brighton & West Kirkby.
Whereas our government, just 50 miles away, has closed car parking on the Promenade to allow walkers and cyclists more room to exercise along the prom whilst keeping their distance from others.
Other than as a willy-waving power trip, I don't understand why some police are choosing to pick this battle in the way that they are doing. They will need all the goodwill that they can get if we're still in lockdown in six weeks.