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soup kitchen shut down, your views?
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By *usybee73 OP Man
over a year ago
in the sticks |
A man has been arrested for breaching coronavirus rules after organising a regular gathering where he handed out free soup to disadvantaged members of the community during lockdown.
Nick Smith, 56, was detained last Monday at the weekly soup kitchen he had set up at his local skate park in Forest Row, East Sussex, because social distancing was reportedly not being observed and masks were not worn.
Police initially tried to fine father-of-four Mr Smith £200 for breaching coronavirus laws but he refused to provide contact details and so, he was arrested and has now been issued with a summons to court.
However, the London-born former IBM sales coordinator says: 'What I'm doing is completely legal. People doing charity or volunteer work are exempt from the "not being allowed to gather in a group of two or more" rule.'
According to governmnet guidance, people can leave their homes and meet in larger groups to 'provide voluntary or charitable services' but added that 'this should not be for socialising and only for permitted purposes'
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-9206947/Cancer-sufferer-arrested-serving-soup-disadvantaged-members-community.html
interesting this one and sure it will divide the forum  |
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Such a shame the police took a heavy handed negative approach.
Instead of creating a flashpoint of confrontation, they could have helped to organise the social distancing, arrange some masks or provide constructive help in making sure the rules could be adhered to...
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Difficult. Here in Southend, the highest rates of infection are around the most deprived estates. We have a soup kitchen every night of the week. They are well organised, socially distant and everyone wears masks.
But people are still going out way more than your average person who can afford to do a weekly shop.
Soup kitchens need to happen, too many lives are at risk for them not to be. But they do need to be organised properly. The police could have helped with that. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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It is a shame the police were so heavy handed in dealing with this.
However, he refused to co-operate so what choice were they really left with?
Yes, charitable work is allowed to continue and the guy is obviously doing a good deed but he'll probably still be fined as I doubt he is a registered charity. |
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Charitable work is important, but so is the protection of public health. Most charitable organisations manage to do both.
I hope he finds ways to channel his altruism without also endangering people. |
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I haven't been able to read the news story but the local homeless charity here is still doing its nightly round with food, clothes etc. They have masks, hand sanitiser etc and insist on social distancing as far as possible. |
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"I haven't been able to read the news story but the local homeless charity here is still doing its nightly round with food, clothes etc. They have masks, hand sanitiser etc and insist on social distancing as far as possible. "
Yes, charities here are at or above local restrictions and have been throughout. |
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I've just read this and looked at a couple of the pictures. I think I'll wait until I can read other news sources too before I make up my mind.
I will ask though, what do people want? Adherence to guidelines and restrictions by all? Or, adherence to guidelines and restrictions except by people we think are nice? |
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"I've just read this and looked at a couple of the pictures. I think I'll wait until I can read other news sources too before I make up my mind.
I will ask though, what do people want? Adherence to guidelines and restrictions by all? Or, adherence to guidelines and restrictions except by people we think are nice?"
 to the last bit. |
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"Maybe he had a bad attitude whilst refusing to cooperate and give his details?
What are you basing that on?"
Nothing. It's speculation, or a pondering. Hence the use of the word "maybe"
The ability to read what's there, rather than what you think is there, is a wonderful thing  |
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I'd also be wary of the source..that particular paper isnt particularly renowned for showing sympathy to people who need help.
Considering last week it was publishing articles claiming the illness was being overblown,I'd say their conceras more based around lockdown itself. |
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"Maybe he had a bad attitude whilst refusing to cooperate and give his details?
What are you basing that on?
Nothing. It's speculation, or a pondering. Hence the use of the word "maybe"
The ability to read what's there, rather than what you think is there, is a wonderful thing "
Well not really as if you raise a hypothesis there must be some sort of reasoning behind it? |
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I can imagine the motivation to get to eat some food, in cold winter weather, is going to have deprived people struggling with social distancing on the best of days. I don't know the full details of this case but it suggests the police were perhaps not supportive enough. Possibly the guy wasn't flexible enough with the police, so seemed uncooperative - police should have led it to a more positive outcome, with distancing, masks and no fines, despite the heavy pressures they face. |
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Having read the full article the impression I get from it is, it is not the first time the police have visited him as he says “ I'd had the police stop by the soup kitchen before and they were great - convivial and supportive. They mentioned legislation but never in a hostile way”
In addition, yes he is providing a service but from the description he gives it sounds like the local community come down, have a mug of soup and socialise.
So yes he’s providing a service but maybe he’s not going about it the right way, ie managing the crowd and alike, there are still rules he has to abide by.
I’m sure more will come out about it. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Such a shame the police took a heavy handed negative approach.
Instead of creating a flashpoint of confrontation, they could have helped to organise the social distancing, arrange some masks or provide constructive help in making sure the rules could be adhered to...
"
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Police can't win, they're short of staff and under the political cosh of trying to police by consent and enforce what has been through out wishy washy legislation and confusing messages from the government..
Somewhere between a story in the press and the different accounts is the truth.. |
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"Police can't win, they're short of staff and under the political cosh of trying to police by consent and enforce what has been through out wishy washy legislation and confusing messages from the government..
Somewhere between a story in the press and the different accounts is the truth.."
so many situations are just this... damned if you do and damned if you don't.
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"Such a shame the police took a heavy handed negative approach.
Instead of creating a flashpoint of confrontation, they could have helped to organise the social distancing, arrange some masks or provide constructive help in making sure the rules could be adhered to...
"
|
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"Police can't win, they're short of staff and under the political cosh of trying to police by consent and enforce what has been through out wishy washy legislation and confusing messages from the government..
Somewhere between a story in the press and the different accounts is the truth.."
I agree. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"A man has been arrested for breaching coronavirus rules after organising a regular gathering where he handed out free soup to disadvantaged members of the community during lockdown.
Nick Smith, 56, was detained last Monday at the weekly soup kitchen he had set up at his local skate park in Forest Row, East Sussex, because social distancing was reportedly not being observed and masks were not worn.
Police initially tried to fine father-of-four Mr Smith £200 for breaching coronavirus laws but he refused to provide contact details and so, he was arrested and has now been issued with a summons to court.
However, the London-born former IBM sales coordinator says: 'What I'm doing is completely legal. People doing charity or volunteer work are exempt from the "not being allowed to gather in a group of two or more" rule.'
According to governmnet guidance, people can leave their homes and meet in larger groups to 'provide voluntary or charitable services' but added that 'this should not be for socialising and only for permitted purposes'
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-9206947/Cancer-sufferer-arrested-serving-soup-disadvantaged-members-community.html
interesting this one and sure it will divide the forum "
I think any voluntary work is to be applauded yet in undertaking any role to help the vulnerable it’s important to have safeguarding at the heart of what you do.
How many homeless or destitute people are in poor health? If you become the point of infection for any of those attending then you are doing far more harm than good.
As others have illustrated these services are being performed elsewhere with distancing, masks etc... it begs the question why didn’t this guy make any effort to provide a system, masks etc to deliver his help safely.
All this police bashing is pretty pointless... they are trying to protect people’s health, this is a no win situation for them in a PR sense but actually take away “giving food to the poor” and all you are left with is a scenario where one idiot thinks he’s above the law. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Having watched the video it seems there’s a lot of people by chance to push the “deaths with covid” line... also no talk from him about running a soup kitchen. It’s as if it’s staged for the purposes of publication online.
The police gave him every opportunity, it would be interesting to see their body cam footage tbh. |
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By *usybee73 OP Man
over a year ago
in the sticks |
"as far as im aware you dont have to wear masks in public outdoors, so presume they are going down the no social distancing line?
The video you shared clearly states what he was being fined for. "
they are doing him for the video they took before .... |
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By *usybee73 OP Man
over a year ago
in the sticks |
"Having watched the video it seems there’s a lot of people by chance to push the “deaths with covid” line... also no talk from him about running a soup kitchen. It’s as if it’s staged for the purposes of publication online.
The police gave him every opportunity, it would be interesting to see their body cam footage tbh. "
interesting if it actually gets to court as according to the press, they have had meeting with police and council officials etc before hand and not a problem. |
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"Having watched the video it seems there’s a lot of people by chance to push the “deaths with covid” line... also no talk from him about running a soup kitchen. It’s as if it’s staged for the purposes of publication online.
The police gave him every opportunity, it would be interesting to see their body cam footage tbh. "
I had to stop watching the video as soon as he shrugged like stroppy 16 year old and answered the policeman's query as to whether he understood with "I heard what you said".
There are charities in this area going out night after night in every type of weather, engaging with and helping disadvantaged people. They're managing to comply with regulations, they're providing warm, dry clothes, medical help, vets advice, hot food cooked by volunteers daily, breakfast packs, sanitary products, household equipment for people who have fled domestic violence and much, much more. But here we are talking about one bloke who's dishing out soup and getting stroppy with a copper
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"Having watched the video it seems there’s a lot of people by chance to push the “deaths with covid” line... also no talk from him about running a soup kitchen. It’s as if it’s staged for the purposes of publication online.
The police gave him every opportunity, it would be interesting to see their body cam footage tbh.
interesting if it actually gets to court as according to the press, they have had meeting with police and council officials etc before hand and not a problem."
Are you familiar with Forest Row at all? |
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"He made himself look like an idiot on the video.
He wasn't licensed to distribute food.
I'm sure he has a good heart but if we cant meet up with others the same should apply to everyone. "
I've just read a report from a local paper which quoted the police as saying they ask people to comply with food hygiene rules of they're providing a take away service. I don't know if this man was or not. If he wasn't and the people he was feeding got good poisoning the next headline would say "why didn't police stop him?" |
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"He made himself look like an idiot on the video.
He wasn't licensed to distribute food.
I'm sure he has a good heart but if we cant meet up with others the same should apply to everyone.
I've just read a report from a local paper which quoted the police as saying they ask people to comply with food hygiene rules of they're providing a take away service. I don't know if this man was or not. If he wasn't and the people he was feeding got good poisoning the next headline would say "why didn't police stop him?" "
*food poisoning |
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"He made himself look like an idiot on the video.
He wasn't licensed to distribute food.
I'm sure he has a good heart but if we cant meet up with others the same should apply to everyone.
I've just read a report from a local paper which quoted the police as saying they ask people to comply with food hygiene rules of they're providing a take away service. I don't know if this man was or not. If he wasn't and the people he was feeding got good poisoning the next headline would say "why didn't police stop him?" "
There would be uproar ...
Another case of , im beyond the law and can do as i please . |
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"as far as im aware you dont have to wear masks in public outdoors, so presume they are going down the no social distancing line?
The video you shared clearly states what he was being fined for.
they are doing him for the video they took before ...."
Yes but the policeman clearly states numerous times what he is being issued a fine for, his breaches the previous day. As he said in his own words, in the news article, it is not the first time the police have talked to him about legislation and what he was doing |
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By *usybee73 OP Man
over a year ago
in the sticks |
"He made himself look like an idiot on the video.
He wasn't licensed to distribute food.
I'm sure he has a good heart but if we cant meet up with others the same should apply to everyone.
I've just read a report from a local paper which quoted the police as saying they ask people to comply with food hygiene rules of they're providing a take away service. I don't know if this man was or not. If he wasn't and the people he was feeding got good poisoning the next headline would say "why didn't police stop him?"
There would be uproar ...
Another case of , im beyond the law and can do as i please ."
Could be wrong, but only need food hygiene if he was producing it there and then.
Plus add on he's not selling it either ...
If it goes to court, his lawyer would mostly point out the way supermarkets get rid of out of date food. |
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By *usybee73 OP Man
over a year ago
in the sticks |
"as far as im aware you dont have to wear masks in public outdoors, so presume they are going down the no social distancing line?
The video you shared clearly states what he was being fined for.
they are doing him for the video they took before ....
Yes but the policeman clearly states numerous times what he is being issued a fine for, his breaches the previous day. As he said in his own words, in the news article, it is not the first time the police have talked to him about legislation and what he was doing "
Hence haven't seen the video, as will be produced if it goes to court.
Though I'm sure the local magistrates will ask plod why they didn't arrest/fine there and then. |
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"He made himself look like an idiot on the video.
He wasn't licensed to distribute food.
I'm sure he has a good heart but if we cant meet up with others the same should apply to everyone.
I've just read a report from a local paper which quoted the police as saying they ask people to comply with food hygiene rules of they're providing a take away service. I don't know if this man was or not. If he wasn't and the people he was feeding got good poisoning the next headline would say "why didn't police stop him?"
There would be uproar ...
Another case of , im beyond the law and can do as i please .
Could be wrong, but only need food hygiene if he was producing it there and then.
Plus add on he's not selling it either ...
If it goes to court, his lawyer would mostly point out the way supermarkets get rid of out of date food."
There is a stay at home order in place for a reason. If he was there legitimately he wouldnt be in this position.
Help out yes by all means but do it legally. |
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By *andy 1Couple
over a year ago
northeast |
"Having watched the video it seems there’s a lot of people by chance to push the “deaths with covid” line... also no talk from him about running a soup kitchen. It’s as if it’s staged for the purposes of publication online.
The police gave him every opportunity, it would be interesting to see their body cam footage tbh.
I had to stop watching the video as soon as he shrugged like stroppy 16 year old and answered the policeman's query as to whether he understood with "I heard what you said".
There are charities in this area going out night after night in every type of weather, engaging with and helping disadvantaged people. They're managing to comply with regulations, they're providing warm, dry clothes, medical help, vets advice, hot food cooked by volunteers daily, breakfast packs, sanitary products, household equipment for people who have fled domestic violence and much, much more. But here we are talking about one bloke who's dishing out soup and getting stroppy with a copper
"
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