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The police and local authorities have condemned 'vigilantes' who have been patrolling parks and roads in Nottinghamshire to enforce the Government's lockdown measures.

In a statement to the nation on March 23, Boris Johnson said people "must" stay at home and only leave for essentials or to exercise once a day as the covid-19 virus continued to spread.

The measures also included prohibiting gatherings of more than two people and police forces were given powers to disperse and even fine those breaking the rules.

But councillor Helen-Ann Smith, deputy leader of Ashfield District Council, said there had been a rise in vigilantes approaching groups or those breaking social distancing rules in open spaces in Sutton-in-Ashfield.

This, she says, has led to law-abiding residents witnessing "big arguments" in parks.

Speaking of the growing issue, councillor Smith, who is also Ashfield District Council’s portfolio holder for community safety, said: "Our councillor team and I have contacted thousands of residents across our district to check they are OK.

"Many residents have complained about seeing big arguments when using our parks for their daily exercise.

"I am asking residents to leave it to the police to disperse any gatherings. Our local police have been brilliant despite their limited resources and have adopted a common sense, fair approach to dealing with this crisis. Please trust them to do their job.

"Nottinghamshire Police have new powers to ensure that residents are sticking to the rules during the lockdown.

"Residents have increasingly been complaining about a small minority flouting the rules designed to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

"If residents see gatherings on their local parks or witness lockdown parties or big BBQs, please call 101 and let the police deal with it."

Nottinghamshire Police's chief constable Craig Guildford said people would be fined £60 for flouting rules over the Easter bank holiday.

A new covid-19 task force, comprising of 80 officers, has also been set up to assist with the pandemic and enforce measures to suppress the spread.

Therefore neighbourhood policing teams are asking that vigilantes stop trying to enforce the Government's measures and instead leave it to the trained professionals to deal with people accordingly.

A spokesperson for the Sutton-in-Ashfield Neighbourhood Policing Team added: “We have had reports that a number of incidents have happened over the last few days whereby people are challenging others in relation to Covid-19 issues and this is creating more problems.

"If you see someone not sticking to the government guidelines, please to not take it upon yourself to challenge people.

"Call us on 101 and report this to us. Our team are out and about conducting high visibility patrols across Sutton-in-Ashfield and will be responding the calls for service in relation to Covid-19."