Clowning around: Couple fined after circus-themed lockdown photoshoot on bridge leads to emergency response
A couple were fined for breaching coronavirus regulations after Kent Police officers found them on the wrong side of safety barriers on a bridge on Gracious Lane, Sevenoaks, carrying out a photoshoot
(Kent Police)A couple have been fined for breaching coronavirus regulations after they held a photoshoot for their social media page which ended in an emergency police response and the closure of a main road.
Officers responded to reports of a woman on the wrong side of the safety barriers on Gracious Lane, Sevenoaks, at 4.51pm on Sunday.
Traffic in both directions on the A21 was stopped and officers attended the bridge, where they found a woman wearing clown makeup.
According to Kent Police, the woman had been “taking part in a photoshoot for her social media page” and was accompanied by a man who was taking pictures. Both were fined.
The couple were among 86 people fined in Kent over the weekend for breaching coronavirus rules.
In a separate incident police were called to Marine Parade at 10pm on Sunday following reports of men fighting, and found a group of five men holding a birthday party for a friend there. All were fined.
On Saturday evening, another group of men who were driving dangerously as well as breaking Covid-19 lockdown regulations were handed fines after members of the public made numerous reports of a car rally in Charles Street.
The mild weather over the weekend tempted large numbers of people to flock to beauty spots around the county, particularly in Knole Park, Sevenoaks, Bedgebury Pinetum, Mote Park, Maidstone, Whitstable, Broadstairs and Herne Bay.
Assistant chief constable Claire Nix said that while it was “understandable” that people wanted to enjoy the outdoors, they should “carefully consider the impact that their actions may have”.
“Many locations are closing their carparks, toilet facilities and takeaway cafes in an effort to try and keep visitor numbers to a minimum and clearly this will have a knock-on effect if you are planning a visit,” she said.
“By attending in large numbers, people are putting unnecessary strain on the emergency services and other agencies and I would ask for people to be considerate and not travel unless necessary and to stay local.
“Whilst nationally the picture is improving with the infection rate dropping, more people being vaccinated and fewer Covid-19 deaths recorded, as a nation, we are not quite out of the woods yet,” she added.
“Though I completely understand the desire to get outside to these popular destinations, I would ask people for patience and restraint until the regulations are lifted so eventually we can enjoy the freedom of meeting our friends and family without the fear of spreading coronavirus.”
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