Editorial

ON Thursday afternoon, I went for a jog around the Clock Tower and then around Nicholls Field park. As I approached the basketball courts, I could see two people playing. That was despite the whole area being taped off, despite the big sign stating the obvious.

A parent with a young child had already taken a photograph of them and was shaking his head in disbelief. We also spoke to the two players and one said: “I don’t know what the tape is for and I didn’t see the sign”.

Just over the road, two youths were in the play park. We also spoke to them. They said defiantly “You’re not the police” To which I said: “Maybe not but I’ve got the Inspector’s mobile number”. They sloped off…

The jog was supposed to be a stress-buster instead it has been anything but and has ended up being this story.

Earlier in the day, a woman drove up to the park and released her three dogs, without leads into the park. Who knows how far she had driven?

Other residents in Spencers Croft have reported people turn up for barbecues. In Purford Green, members of families are visiting elderly residents, some wearing clearly identifiable clothes from food distributors.

Finally, on Thursday morning, three bin men sharing a small confined space at the front of a cab. This was not the bin mens’s fault they are probably under pressure to “get the job done”.

This is just a small snapshot from a small area of the town but other readers are reporting similar incidents. One reader who work premises backs onto Howard Way near The Stow said “last week, ever day, felt like a Sunday but now it is very busy”.

Earlier this week, BBC Look East referred to a study, via an app, that suggested up to 15% of correspondents from had admitted to breaching the guidelines, that is doing something beyond, the stipulated going out rules (essentials, a walk etc). This is far in excess of any other area in the east of England.

A number of things may happen. Harlow may end up with even further restrictions. Are police may be drafted in and use the full force of the law or nothing will happen the numbers will decrease, sometime the restrictions will be lifted and one day, some people may be asked what they did to change things. “Yeah, well, my country asked me to step up so me and my mate got our basketball out”.

All I do know is that I’m going to change my running route.