Published: GMT, 13 September Updated: GMT, 14 September Britons enjoyed a final group pint together last night ahead of the strict new 'rule of six' coronavirus crackdown hitting today - with the government telling families to shop their neighbours if they broke regulations. Just hours after the restrictions were brought in this morning Crime and Policing minister Kit Malthouse confirmed those flouting the law should be reported to officers.
It came as a 10pm curfew for pubs was also being considered with Justice Secretary Robert Buckland warning that young people were 'forgetting' covid regulations. The shot across the bow by the government came after people met outdoors in drinking spots across the UK's cities before the hard-line restrictions. This morning crime and policing minister Kit Malthouse confirmed families should report their neighbours if they saw them breaking the rules.
And he did not rule out the possibility of a dedicated hotline - although insisted the police non-emergency number was the contact point for now. He said: 'We are in discussion about what reporting mechanisms might be, there is obviously the non-emergency number people can ring to report issues they wish to and certainly in lockdown - the initial phase of lockdown - we did see a surge of those reports coming through to the police.
The government's 'rule of six' came in today, as as it tried to tackle rising coronavirus infection rates by restricting meetings both indoors and outdoors.
As Britain stands on the brink of lockdown Mark II:. The final countdown: Drinkers realised Sunday could be their last big night out so made the most of the evening. Final hurrah: one drinker in Leeds gives a thumbs up on Sunday night before the new restrictions kicked in this morning.
