16 arrests on Liberation Day

Monday 11 May 2020

It was a "particularly busy" Liberation Day for Guernsey Police, which saw 16 people arrested - including at least one person who had spat at an officer before being arrested on suspicion of assault.

The force said that none of the incidents which officers had to attend were linked with the covid-19 outbreak however.

Ahead of the long weekend, which included the VE Day Bank Holiday and the national commemorations and celebrations, as well as Liberation Day, the head of Bailiwick Law Enforcement had given clear guidance about what could and couldn't happen.

It was anticipated that many people would mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the Occupation with their neighbours or within their newly extended bubbles on Saturday. Ruari Hardy had said that was ok so long as social distancing was adhered to outside of your own bubbles and that food and drink weren't shared with anyone else.

Bailiwick Law Enforcement amended their policing plan to fit the current situation and said despite a number of calls to attend noisy parties, no one had breached the lockdown rules. 

There were other incidents to attend though, including domestic assaults and road accidents.

Pictured: Chief Officer Ruari Hardy.

A Bailiwick Law Enforcement spokesman said:

"The long bank holiday weekend saw lockdown restrictions significantly alter the way the island celebrated 75 years of Liberation, and, consequently, our policing plan also - not least because there was no longer the centrepiece events in Town for us to police.

"Throughout the course of the bank holiday until Sunday night, we made a total of 16 arrests, ranging from breach of the peace, domestic abuse, assault on police whereby officers were spat at, and of course the arrest regarding the destruction of the Liberation wreath placed by the Bailiff.  During the day of Liberation we were particularly busy.

"Officers also attended a number of RTCs and we would like to remind everyone that as the roads become busier after a prolonged period when they've been quieter than normal, it is important to drive safely.

"We had no issues in relation to covid-19. While we did attend some incidents of noisy parties, they were minor and nobody required reporting or being dealt with by the emergency law and everybody was acting within the guidance. We want to thank the public for maintaining their social distance and finding unique, novel ways to celebrate the day.”