Police in the UK arrested a man for handing out free soup in a park, claiming that he had violated COVID-19 restrictions.
Nick Smith had been giving out free soup to people in his village for 17 weeks before Sussex Police intervened, claiming he had violated COVID rules by encouraging people to gather.
However, Smith cited exemptions under the rules for volunteering, which allows for up to 15 people to gather either indoors or outdoors.
Smith said he found the whole experience “very shocking” and insisted he was only trying to help people struggling with mental health issues as a result of the lockdown.
“Showing up every week and being a feature they can rely on is what I wanted to do. They just come because they don’t see anybody they don’t talk to anybody and they’re going crazy,” he said.
Sussex Police said people “providing a takeaway service are required to complete a risk assessment and adhere to Government guidance including social distancing and hygiene measures.”- READ MORE
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