Greater Manchester Police was the target of a large social media backlash after tweeting about shutting down a child’s birthday party out of coronavirus fears days after failing to contain jubilant celebrations on their street from the Pakistani community, who were flouting social distancing to be present for Pakistan’s Independence Day.
Three families had been quietly enjoying a birthday on a late summer’s day before the police arrived to dampen the occasion, reprimanding the homeowner.
“Officers attended a property in #Swinton where 3 families were celebrating a child’s birthday in a private garden. The homeowner has been issued with a fixed penalty notice,” the official police account tweeted.
#UPDATE | Officers attended a property in #Swinton where 3 families were celebrating a child's birthday in a private garden. The homeowner has been issued with a fixed penalty notice. pic.twitter.com/0TybL2VQGi
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) August 21, 2020
Social media users were quick to call out the politically correct double standard in policing within the UK.
“Have you addressed any of the religious gatherings inside private homes in your area? No, you choose to ruin a child’s birthday instead. We get you have some rules to “enforce”, but your selective nature is nauseous,” one person tweeted.
Have you addressed any of the religious gatherings inside private homes in your area?
No, you choose to ruin a child's birthday instead.
We get you have some rules to "enforce", but your selective nature is nauseous.— UK Rants: Manaus Manaus, Do doo be-do-do (@uk_rants) August 21, 2020
Another person wrote: “Have I got this right? GM Police are actually advertising the fact that they fined someone for holding a child’s birthday party outside in their own garden.”
To which a man, claiming to be an officer, responded: “I’m a serving officer. I’d refuse to issue the fine and offer words of advice instead. Greater Manchester has high rates of violent crime, gangs and drugs. They should be focusing on this. We police by consent. All this does nothing for the community whatsoever.”
I'm a serving officer. I'd refuse to issue the fine and offer words of advice instead. Greater Manchester has high rates of violent crime, gangs and drugs. They should be focusing on this. We police by consent. All this does nothing for the community whatsoever
— Kloppmeister (@FInut9347996) August 22, 2020
Despite the raid on the child’s birthday party, others called out the police department for failing to contain Pakistan Independence Day celebrations earlier this week.
Footage of illegal street parties appeared as dozens of mask less revelers took to Manchester’s “Curry Mile” to jeer at the police, climb on cars, and ultimately drive the police officers away.
Police retreat from hostile crowd in Wilmslow road, #Manchester last night as 'Pakistan Independence day' was celebrated on 'Curry mile' pic.twitter.com/FrOUydBvmC
— 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐧 🇬🇧 (@LFC_blano) August 15, 2020
Manchester, a vibrant and diverse major city, was placed into lockdown for its high rates of coronavirus infections. “The last thing we need is large gatherings such as this, as well as unacceptable attacks on officers attending the scene,” said Deputy Chief Constable Pilling about the events.
The UK Police has gone viral a few times since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic for the wrong reasons.
In one video, UK Police forcefully entered into a man’s apartment, breaking down the owner’s front door, after a noise complaint suggested that he might have been hosting an illegal gathering when his TV set was a little loud.
Another officer threatened to “make something up” in order to arrest an unruly member of the public who was allegedly flouting social distancing.
