Coronavirus: Senior police officer moves to clarify PSNI stance after ‘unapproved’ statement appears on Facebook pages

By The Newsroom
Published 16th Apr 2020, 14:25 BST
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Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd has moved to clarify the PSNI’s position on people travelling for exercise after comments were posted on the force’s Carrickfergus and Larne social media pages on Good Friday (April 10).

The comments, since removed, claimed “exercise begins and ends at your front door”.

The issue has been highlighted on BBC Radio Ulster’s Nolan Show throughout the week.

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A PSNI spokesperson told the Nolan Show: “Due to the personal commentary of the officer which did not reflect the PSNI’s communications approach in relation to Covid-19 the post was removed.”

A post stating that necessary exercise starts at your front door has been shared on PSNI social media pages across Northern Ireland.A post stating that necessary exercise starts at your front door has been shared on PSNI social media pages across Northern Ireland.
A post stating that necessary exercise starts at your front door has been shared on PSNI social media pages across Northern Ireland.

Commenting on the issue today, Assistant Chief Constable Todd said: “An unapproved statement was posted on both the Larne and Carrickfergus Facebook pages on Friday, April 10.

“The contents of this post were inaccurate and did not reflect the corporate position of the police on people travelling for exercise under the new Covid-19 regulations. This post was later removed.

“The restrictions are clear in that they require you to not only have a reason to leave home, but a necessity. Leaving home without that necessity may put you in breach of the restrictions.”

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