Snowball fight not a 'justifiable reason to be out of your house', police say

People throwing snowballs in Shropshire have been warned they could be fined under COVID-19 regulations.

The safer neighbourhood team for Broseley and Wenlock in Shropshire tweeted on Friday: "There have been 2 reports of snowballs being thrown last night between 11 & 11:30pm.

"This is obviously not a justifiable reason to be out of your house, this behaviour is likely to result in a £200 Fixed Penalty Notice for breaking the lockdown rules."

It later added: "The snowballs reported being thrown in Broseley last night between 11 & 11:30pm were being thrown at the addresses of vulnerable elderly residents.

"This behaviour is not acceptable at any time."

West Mercia Police have been contacted for comment.

Figures released this morning show that West Mercia Police issued 748 coronavirus-related fines between 27 March and 20 December.

The threats to snowball-fighters come the same week England was plunged into a strict national lockdown, which banned the mixing of households and encouraged people to stay at home.

However, outdoor exercise or meeting one friend (socially-distanced) in a park or public space is deemed to be okay, following suggestions from the prime minister.

During the first lockdown last spring, outdoor exercise was strictly enforced to once per day, and even sitting on a park bench or sunbathing could have seen people slapped with a fine.