Kettering and Corby barbecue visitors sent packing by police

Visitors to barbecues in Kettering and Corby in yesterday's sunshine were moved on by police after breaking coronavirus lockdown laws.

Officers from Northamptonshire Police were deployed to two gatherings in two hours, both of which had about seven people including some who had travelled to the event.

Such gatherings are currently prohibited under emergency powers designed to prevent the spread of the killer virus.

The first incident was in Scott Road in Kettering at about 1pm, where a group had arrived for a barbecue and gathering at someone's home.

Police deployed and made sure they went home.

Officers were then called to Studfall Avenue in Corby at about 2pm after a cousin had come to visit with his wife and family for a barbecue party in the garden.

They were also sent home. No fines were issued.

A police spokesman said: "It’s disappointing to see people continuously flouting these restrictions.

"They’ve been put in place to protect people and the NHS."

Earlier this month the force's chief constable Nick Adderley said the 'period of grace was over' and instructed his officers to enforce the coronavirus regulations and take action, in the way of fines and arrests, when needed.