News
Mum from Oldham drove 56 miles to Formby beach to celebrate her son’s birthday
‘I didn’t think there was any harm’
A mum from Oldham travelled more than 50 miles to go to the beach to celebrate her son’s birthday, adding that she didn’t think ‘there was any harm’ in it.
More than 100 cars were turned away from Forby beach over the weekend by Merseyside Police as people flocked from all over to enjoy the seaside.
Police in the area have now issued a fresh appeal for people not to travel to the beach following the incident.
Currently, there are strict restrictions on travel within the UK.
Laura McGhee drove the 56 miles from Oldham to Formby beach to celebrate her four-year-old son’s birthday.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain, she said: “He’s only four so I’m not doing another birthday in lockdown.”
Pointing towards her kids she added: “We’ve done it with him, we’ve done it with him, and all he wanted to do was to come to the beach and I didn’t think there was any harm.
“We drove here, we’re not around anybody, we all go to school together, we all live together.
“So this is what we’ve done.”
Community Policing Superintendent Graeme Robson has since blasted those who made the journey to the beauty spot at the weekend.
He said: “This is totally unacceptable and shows a complete disregard for the government guidance, which is in place to protect not only ourselves but others around us.
“To flagrantly flout the rules in this way is not only reckless and irresponsible but can result in a substantial fine, as we have seen today.”
The senior officer added that it was essential for people to take heed of the advice to allow for infection rates to continue to fall.
Good Morning Britain correspondent Nick Dixon told viewers: “If you are going out, do a bit of research and make sure that you can socially distance when you get there.
“Regardless, if it’s not your local area then don’t bother going at all because you’re going to be breaking the rules.”
Police have increased their daily patrol which Supt Robson explains will continue over the coming weeks.
He added: “We will continue to work closely with our partners in Sefton, and across the rest of Merseyside, to ensure the safety of our communities, and will take enforcement action where people refuse to follow restrictions.
“Current guidance states that people must only travel for essential reasons, and you must remain local.”