Posted on 02/11/2021 4:59:46 PM PST by nickcarraway
COPS arrested a man for flouting lockdown rules as he was reportedly handing out free soup in a park.
A clip shows officers detaining Nick Smith in Forest Row, East Sussex on Monday.
Mr Smith posted a video of the arrest on Facebook shortly afterwards.
In the post, Mr Smith claimed he asked a pal to “record what happened when I was asked to 'pop down to the skatepark for a chat' by the police”.
The clip was later uploaded to YouTube where it has amassed over 94,000 views.
The caption of the video claims that Mr Smith was “arrested for offering free soup in an East Sussex park every Monday through lockdown”.
During the footage, a cop tells Mr Smith: “(There was a) gathering of approximately 15 people and it was all captured on two sets of body worn video, as is this conversation here.
“What was captured on body worn video is a clear breach of the coronavirus legislation.
“We're looking at participating in a gathering of more than two people in a public outdoor place.”
As they lead Smith away, one pal shouts: "Shame on you!"
Cops attempted to fine Mr Smith £200 for flouting Covid rules but he would not give over his details - resulting in his arrest.
Sussex Police today confirmed a man was arrested and has been issued with a summons to court.
A spokesman for Sussex Police told the Argus: “Police were called to Station Road in Forest Row at 2.53pm on Monday (25 January) following reports of a regular gathering where social distancing was not being observed and masks were not worn.
“Officers engaged with the parties involved, explained the restrictions in relation to the lockdown and encouraged compliance with the government guidelines.
“The organiser was arrested at the time, and later issued with a summons to court, having failed to provide contact details so a fixed penalty notice could be issued for the breach.
“Sussex Police are supportive of community initiatives to help protect the most vulnerable, particularly in these difficult times, and are working with the local authority to ensure individuals have the right safety measures in place.
“To protect themselves and the public, those who are providing a takeaway service are required to complete a risk assessment and adhere to government guidance including social distancing and hygiene measures.
“Where this is not being observed, officers will take enforcement action. Local communities are therefore urged to continue to follow the regulations and guidance to curb the spread of the virus and help save lives.”
The Sun Online has contacted Sussex Police for further comment.

Video at site.
Sometimes cops really are POS.
Paychecks and pensions.
Merrie Olde Englande
The military of the future. Old video but one can easily see where we are heading. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QeZYtApatY
Good Lord the Gov sucks!
Not much better here.
I’ve never had a bad experience with a cop.
But shutting down a guy who was trying to help people seems more like mindlessly ‘toeing-the-line’ than good sense.
It seems there were better ways to handle this.
tseries.thats what I appreciate about Oathkeepers, it separates the wheat from the chaff.
Big Brother creates a Goldstein for the masses to scream at during the two minutes hate.
They are following orders. They are acting like fascists because they were ordered to.
Better not get caught handing out food to the homeless in Houston. Quick way to get fined. People leave sealed food items in trash cans to avoid trouble with the authorities.
The beatings will continue until morale improves...
I had the crap beat out of me by a cop who worked for a guy that became a US Congressman.
Most are good people, some are jerks.
This is just another of myriad examples of foul treatment of decent people as a result of increasingly irrational fear of a virus with a recovery rate exceeding 99%.
We’re only following orders said the cops as they arrested him for acting normal ....
...said the kings goons as they brutalized the peasants in the village...
...said the border guards as they shot people climbing the wall to escape to the west
...said the soldiers as they put the Jews on the train.....
...said the camp guards as they herded the Jews into the gas chambers...
........
I’m sorry. I haven’t met one of the ‘jerks’. They’ve always been respectful and helpful to me.
Its the uK. Its a police state there, much worse then us....but we are catching up.
This from the UK so not exactly analogous to the US.
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