LONDONERS have sparked outrage after once again crowding on Westminster Bridge to applaud NHS workers.
Metropolitan Police, along with other emergency services, joined in with the event for a second week running despite a spokesman insisting last Friday that officers would be “reminded” of lockdown rules.
Photos and Videos posted on social media showed crowds gathering both on the bridge and on the South Bank.
Londoners gather on Westminster Bridge to applaud frontline workers pic.twitter.com/WXloCQUuUe
— TIME (@TIME) April 24, 2020
Groups of people were seen breaching government social distancing rules as they participated in the Clap For Carers event – though many were unable to applaud because they were photographing themselves and the scene with their mobile phones.
Crowd gathers on Westminster Bridge and nearby terraces in London to take part in 8pm applause. #NHS #coronavirus #COVID19 #ClapForCarers #ClapForTheNHS #ClapForOurCarers #clapforkeyworkers #clapping #NHSheroes @MailOnlineVideo @SunVideo Licence footage: https://t.co/XWlNgfeIqY pic.twitter.com/BeE1ovBee3
— Urban Pictures UK (@Urban_Pictures) April 23, 2020
READ MORE: Westminster Bridge crowds flout social distancing rules as police watch on
As was the case last week, the footage prompted outrage online.
One Twitter user posted: “Don't for one second think you're doing something noble on #westminsterbridge clapping, no social distancing & few masks, making a dire situation worse, you did it so you could brag you were there & nothing else.”
Someone else added: "Why have we reached a stage where it is more important to be seen to care (usually filming yourself clapping) than to actually care?”
Another comment read: “Do the people who congregate on this bridge think they are exempt from this illness?”
TV presenter Jeremy Vine was one of several high-profile figures to condemn the scenes. He tweeted: “The irony that people are most casual about their own exposure to #COVID19 at an event to celebrate the efforts of the health workers who have to pick up the pieces ... is pretty mindblowing.”
The irony that people are most casual about their own exposure to #COVID19
— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) April 24, 2020
at an event to celebrate the efforts of the health workers who have to pick up the pieces ... is pretty mindblowing. Well done @Iromg for drawing attention to ridiculous scenes at #westminsterbridge pic.twitter.com/VVWwARQ8Br
READ MORE: Police and NHS staff breach social distancing rules at Fife hospital
Government social distancing state people must keep two metres apart and must avoid "large and small gatherings in public spaces".
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson commented: "We are aware a number of members of the public and other emergency services stopped on Westminster Bridge for a short period of time last night.
"A small number of our officers were present as part of their local patrols. We continue to encourage people to adhere to social distancing guidance. Our officers will engage, explain, encourage and only enforce as a last resort."
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