UK weather: Britons are warned ‘you can have fun, but stick to the rules’

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Britons once again flocked to parks and beaches today as they made the most of a second consecutive day of record-breaking March heat with temperatures closing in on 75F (24C) again this afternoon. 

Revellers have been making the most of their newfound freedom this week after coronavirus restrictions were partially lifted on Monday, allowing up to six people or two households of any size to meet outdoors.

But many threw caution to the wind, with hundreds enjoying a sundown party on the beach in Brighton last night while seafronts, parks and promenades were packed in Leeds, Sheffield, Nottingham, Birmingham and London. 

In Birmingham, council teams suspended mowing across parks today so they could focus on litter picking instead – while Nottingham closed two of its parks this afternoon after ‘appalling scenes’ of crowds there in recent days.

The biggest crowds appeared to be at Woodhouse Moor in Leeds, where hundreds of people gathered – and West Yorkshire Police warned they would ‘disperse groups of over six, using fines where appropriate to do so’. 

Elsewhere in the region a 14-year-old boy died after getting into difficulty at a waterfall. He was spotted struggling in a pool at about 6pm yesterday below the Goit Stock Waterfall beauty spot at Cullingworth near Bradford. 

And there was a major clean-up in parks and beaches today after people left behind mounds of litter including disposable barbecues, beer cans and takeaway boxes on the hottest March day in Britain for 53 years yesterday.

The hottest place in Britain by 2pm today was Weybourne in Norfolk which hit 74.5F (23.6C). This was 36.4F (20.2C) warmer than the coldest place in the UK at the same time, Dalwhinnie in the Highlands, with 38.1F (3.4C).

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick urged people to make the most the latest easing of lockdown restrictions in England in a ‘sensible, cautious’ manner, enjoying the sunshine but also being careful and sticking to the rules.

He told ITV’s Good Morning Britain today: ‘We’ve all waited a long time to meet family and friends outdoors with these very limited freedoms we have now. We just need to exercise caution and be sensible and pragmatic.

‘I think the vast majority of people will do that. They will enjoy the sunshine this week and over the Easter weekend, but they will do that in a sensible and cautious way.’

Mr Jenrick added that people should try ‘to be careful, sticking to the rules’, while Health Secretary Matt Hancock tweeted last night: ‘Let’s enjoy the sun but let’s do it safely. We have come so far, don’t blow it now.’

Their comments come after the Prime Minister said he hoped people would take advantage of the ‘beautiful weather’ to play sport or exercise, while also emphasising the country should still ‘proceed with caution’.

It comes amid a series of further coronavirus developments today after it emerged Britain’s daily death toll had halved in a week to 56 and more than half of people in England now have Covid-19 antibodies. These included:

• Hundreds of deaths and 31,000 infections have been linked to Covid exposure at work, the GMB union said; 
• Four million people will no longer be asked to shield to protect themselves from Covid-19 as of tomorrow;
• The NHS said hundreds of patients are to benefit from at-home cancer care to reduce their risk of Covid-19;
• The travel corridor list could be more than doubled with no increase in health risk, Manchester Airport said; 
• Germany is suspending the AstraZeneca jab for people under 60 due to fears of a link with rare blood clots; 
• Malta said it planned to welcome British tourists from June 1 as long as they have had both vaccine doses.

Despite cases, hospitalisations and deaths all plunging to six month lows thanks to the vaccine roll-out, Ministers are concerned that infections could surge again if young people are too cavalier.

Warwick University viruses expert Professor Lawrence Young warned people mixing in parks could turbo-charge the spread of the virus, telling MailOnline today: ‘We all expect the rates of infection to increase when these restrictions are removed. That’s why we built gaps into the roadmap. But this (yesterday’s scenes) is a real worry. 

‘What we’ve got is a serious situation where the younger population, who are responsible for the majority of the spread of the virus, are then mixing in parks. They think it’s OK to mix outside and you won’t get infected but if you are near someone who has the virus – is shedding the virus – then you are at risk.

‘The transmission of the virus is clearly reduced when you are in a well-ventilated space and the sun is shining, but if you are in close proximity with someone who is infected you could get infected too.’

It comes after government adviser Professor Mark Woolhouse from the University of Edinburgh warned last month that crowded beaches do not spread Covid-19, saying it was clear most transmission has happened indoors. 

But Public Health England medical director Dr Yvonne Doyle warned people today: ‘As restrictions lift and the weather improves, we cannot drop our guard. We’re not out of the woods quite yet.

‘Until all of us are protected it remains essential to follow the steps we know stop the virus from spreading. Kill it by washing your hands, block it by wearing your mask, and maintain a safe social distance in the open air.’ 

Yesterday, Kew Gardens in South West London saw UK-high temperatures of 76.1F (24.5C), while the mercury reached a similar level across southern and eastern England with highs in many places of at least 73F (23C).

But they are likely to fall to 61F (16C) in the South East tomorrow then 52F (11C) on Good Friday – before more average conditions for the time of year and even snow in North Wales and northern England by Easter Monday. 

BBC weather presenter Simon King said this morning of the sharp drop in temperatures over the next few days: ‘It’s like the Big Dipper of temperature forecasting. Some of you might even be sledging on Easter Monday.’ 

Yesterday was the second-warmest March day on record and the warmest in 53 years. With the heatwave due to continue today, the March record of 78.1F (25.6C), set at Mepal in Cambridgeshire, in 1968 could still be broken. 

Grahame Madge, a Met Office meterologist, said this morning: ‘There is a chance we could see our hottest March day on record today, we’re predicting a 10 per cent chance that it could happen.

‘There are a number of factors that may stop that happening, as it will be rather cloudy in places, which could develop into shower clouds, taking the heat away. But certainly it should be warmer than yesterday in some areas.’

Mr Madge said temperatures of 76.5F (24.7C) were expected in London and the South East, while parts of central and eastern England and Wales should be around 68F (20C) to 72F (22C).

Nottingham has closed two of its parks after ‘appalling scenes’ of large crowds following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions.

City council leader councillor David Mellen said: ‘We have taken steps to prevent a repeat of the appalling scenes we witnessed at the Arboretum on Monday evening. Today, the Arboretum is closed along with Lenton Recreation Ground where similar problems arose.

‘We regret having to take this action, since everyone has been looking forward to the chance to visit our parks, now that easing of restrictions means we can meet up to six other people outdoors. Sadly, the actions of a thoughtless minority has spoilt that. We will keep the situation under review and hope to reopen parks as soon as possible. The Forest recreation ground remains open and is a larger, safer space where people can spread out more easily.

‘It is unacceptable and unsustainable for our already thinly-stretched crews to have to be redeployed from work in communities across our city to clear up mess left behind at our parks. We have added extra bins – and we implore people to take their rubbish away with them if these become full and dispose of it responsibly.

‘At our other parks, we have increased patrols of community protection officers who, along with police officers, will continue to rigorously enforce the ban on drinking in public spaces that’s in place across Nottingham.

‘None of this would be necessary if people took their own personal responsibility seriously, especially at a time when we need to be much more cautious in the way we behave and follow the gradual lifting of restrictions, if we are to hope to put this pandemic behind us.’

In North Tyneside, the picturesque Longsands Beach in Tynemouth was strewn with rubbish this morning after sunseekers flocked to the coast to enjoy the hot weather as temperatures soared to almost 68F (20C) in the area. 

There were dismal scenes on the sands today – with cans, coffee cups and plastic bags scattered across the shore. One onlooker said: ‘It’s heartbreaking to see. This is one of the most beautiful beaches in our region. 

‘We’re very lucky to have access to such a stunning coastline. It is so upsetting to see so much rubbish. People should have more respect for nature, and stay away, if they can’t clean up after themselves.’

Nicola Smith, 40, had planned to watch the sunrise with her eight-year-old daughter Leah, but instead of relaxing as the sky turned red, the pair began to clear the sands of litter left behind.

The health and social care worker said: ‘It’s absolutely awful. We got up at 5.45am as we wanted to enjoy the sunrise. But when we got here we just could not believe the amount of rubbish.

‘We decided to start picking up the litter instead. There’s so much. People have had barbecues and left behind beer bottles, clothes, shoes, even phone charges. You’ve got to be so careful where you tread. It’s just not safe. My daughter has been collecting rubbish for an hour and a half now.  

‘Lots of people are helping us. Locals don’t want to see it like this. I don’t know what the answer is. 

‘I was here yesterday afternoon as well and there were large groups of people having barbecues. Probably the only thing that would help would be a complete alcohol ban on the beach.’ 

In London, a spokesman for Mayor Sadiq Khan said: ‘Londoners can now meet friends and family outdoors in a group of six or of two households, and are able to take part in outdoor sports activities, but it’s vital that everyone continues to follow the rules and social distancing measures.

‘People must remember to keep a two-metre distance apart from others, avoid sitting down in busy areas, and put their rubbish in bins or take it with them when they leave. Case numbers in London are still too high and it is important that when people enjoy the nice weather they continue to be cautious and follow the rules closely.’

In Birmingham, Adam Jones said he saw a ‘couple of thousand’ people convened in Cannon Hill Park while out walking with his girlfriend yesterday evening. 

Mr Jones, 27, from Moseley in the city, said: ‘It has been noticeably busier since restrictions eased but yesterday was really busy.

‘While there was a fair few people in small groups respecting distancing, they were overshadowed by lots of big groups, sometimes up to 20/25 people, blaring music.

‘We did one lap of the park and by the time we were leaving it looked like a festival. How it looked this morning was disgraceful – so much rubbish that a council worker estimated it would take the whole team most of the day to clear.’

Superintendent Farooq Sheikh, of Birmingham East police, said: ‘We had officers at Cannon Hill Park yesterday following social posts suggesting that an organised gathering was planned.

‘Officers initially found no breaches of coronavirus legislation, with people enjoying the weather in small, individual groups.

‘Later on in the evening, the numbers increased and music and lighting equipment had been set up. We had a number of complaints from residents about traffic building up around the area.

‘The crowds were good-natured and engaged with officers, and the park was all clear by 11.30pm. Officers did not need to issue any fines.

‘We will have extra police officers in the area today, who will be able to use our powers to quickly break up any gatherings that put people’s health at risk.

‘We want to reinforce that it is really important to remember that, while people can now meet up with five other people outside, large-scale organised events are still against the law.’

In South Wales, police officers were injured amidst ‘despicable’ scenes in Cardiff Bay.

Crowds of people gathered in the Bay, near the steps of the Senedd Cymru, the Welsh Parliament building, and around Mermaid Quay yesterday evening.  

As police tried to move the groups along missiles were thrown and three officers suffered minor injuries. A knife was also found. 

A 21-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy were arrested on suspicion of public order offences and have since been released on bail. 

The revellers in Cardiff were branded ‘disgraceful’ after leaving public areas covered in rubbish and debris, with a sea of litter surrounding the Senedd Cymru.

Empty beer cans, cigarette butts and takeaway detritus were strewn as far as the eye can see – with hardworking volunteers clearing it away. 

Tim Corrigan, who runs a group of eco cafes called Milk&Sugar across the city, said: ‘We need to be better.’ He posted the video on social media, with the caption: ‘Wow.’

Yesterday, many in other areas also took advantage of the weather to bask in the sun at popular spots across the country. 

Some of the most remarkable scenes yesterday took place in Woodhouse Moor, a park close to the main student area in Leeds.

Photographs showed hundreds of people gathered in the sunshine, with little sign of social distancing. One frustrated local said yesterday afternoon: ‘There’s hundreds here – literally hundreds.

‘People have barbecues going on. It’s really frustrating, to be honest. 

‘I get it, it’s 20C (68F) and people want to enjoy the weather, but we’re literally a few weeks away from lockdown ending. Can they not just wait?’

After large crowds blatantly broke the rules on Monday night at Nottingham’s Arboretum, brawling and leaving huge amounts of litter, police in the city said alcohol would be seized from anyone entering parks.

An order was imposed giving officers the power to break up gatherings. 

Furious city council leader David Mellen criticised people for ‘acting so thoughtlessly and recklessly’.

Mr Mellen said: ‘We have all made sacrifices over the last year to keep each other safe. Over 600 local people have died due to the virus.

‘We owe it to their families, to each other and to frontline workers not to jeopardise the strides we have made towards reducing the spread of Covid by acting so thoughtlessly and recklessly.

‘The road map is a cautious way out of this terrible situation and we all need to abide strictly to its rules.’ 

Meanwhile, there was concern in the West Country about visitors arriving from further afield in breach of ‘stay local’ guidance – and calls for rule-breakers to be reported to police.

Sally Everton, director of Visit Devon, said: ‘Coming up on the A30 [on Monday] all I saw was cars with surfboards on the roof. Either they’re going to get their surfboards waxed or serviced, or they’re looking for some waves.  

‘I’m quite disappointed because people will flout the law. What we need is an enforcement notice from the Government to say that while people can move around, they should stay local and to still minimise travel. 

‘If you know there’s somebody in their second home or there’s an Airbnb that has been occupied, we’d encourage them to report it to the police.’

Malcolm Bell, of Visit Cornwall, said: ‘When you look at the location of Cornwall, we wouldn’t be expecting anyone to travel more than an hour or so on a day trip. So it’s very difficult to see why someone could justify a trip.

‘We’d love to see people later in the year – and in the not too distant future – but for now please explore within an hour or so of where you live at a maximum.’

Met Office forecasters said temperatures today ‘could get close’ to the all-time figure, with 77F (25C) possible in isolated areas of the South East this afternoon. 

Elsewhere, temperatures of up to 72F (22C) are likely to be widespread.

However, Polar air is set arrive over the Easter weekend, with snow possible over the hills of north Wales and northern England by Easter Monday.  

Met Office meteorologist Nicola Maxey said: ‘We are currently experiencing very warm conditions for the time of year. Today, we’re expecting 21C to 22C quite widely and the possibility of an isolated 24C.

‘We may even sneak 25C in places. The warmest areas are likely to be in the South East.’

But she added: ‘We will see a marked contrast from tomorrow. We could see a 10C temperature change in some areas. Carlisle is likely to be 17C (63F) today then 8C (46F) on Thursday. 

‘The South East is due to hang onto the warm air so there could be some areas still recording 18C (64F) on Thursday.’

Miss Maxey said the wind direction is forecast to change from south-south westerly to Polar Maritime, bringing much cooler conditions and overnight frosts over the coming days.

Good Friday and Easter Saturday are likely to be mostly dry with sunny spells.

But temperatures should be closer to average for the time of year, in the low to mid-teens Celsius (50s Fahrenheit) in central and southern areas and high single figures Celsius (40s Fahrenheit) in northern England and Wales.

Through Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, winds are set to strengthen, with gusty conditions in northern and western England and Wales, gales in Scotland, and bands of rain.

Miss Maxey said: ‘We could see some of that rain falling as sleet and snow on high ground in North Wales, Cumbria, Northern England and Scotland above 400 metres (1,312ft).

‘In Cumbria on Easter Monday, it’s due to be 5C (41F) but is likely to feel like -2C (28F) due to wind chill.’

Parts of the central Pennines are not due to rise above freezing on Easter Monday, while even Birmingham is set to shiver at just 7C (45F).

Further south, temperatures of 48F (9C) to 50F (10C) are likely on Easter Monday. 

Yesterday saw Wales record its hottest day of the year so far, with the mercury hitting 70.3F (21.3C) in Cardiff.

Northern Ireland also experienced its warmest day of the year with temperatures reaching 64.4F (18C) at Giant’s Causeway, while Scotland saw the mercury rise to 65.3F (18.5C) in Lossiemouth, Moray.