Outrage after Cosham street party appears to break social distancing on live TV

Hilary Avenue was featured as part of a segment on VE Day parties being held across the country to mark the 75th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s surrender.

However a screenshot from the BBC News footage appears to show residents breaking social distancing rules, which say that you should stay at least two metres from someone not in your household group.

It provoked an intense reaction on social media.

Residents of the street have since hit back at the criticism saying they followed social distancing advice and it was simply the angle from the TV camera that made it appear as if they were closer together.

A BBC spokesperson said: ‘Whilst perspectives on camera can sometimes be deceiving, our journalist made clear in the report that people were social distancing and those close together are from the same family unit.

‘It is not for BBC News to instruct people how they should behave and our presence at this event was only to report on what was already taking place.’

@WelshGasDoc tweeted: ‘Fine. Whatever. Just don’t come crying to us when we run out of ventilators. You were asked, you were warned, then you were told.

‘Wave your flags. Eat your scones and drink your tea. Enjoy yourselves. You only live once.’

Lucas Hilton wrote: 'Live in Cosham where neighbors are doing the total opposite of social distancing and for some reason BBC News are reporting on it like it’s all good. Sick of seeing things like this now it’s not fair on the rest of us doing the right thing.’

@SaraLouisexxxx tweeted: ‘Is this a joke?!! “Social distanced” street party... how is this ok. No wonder everyone is starting not to bother with it anymore.’

Jo Horne added: ‘Fuming. This is my road. Meanwhile, I have spent the day alone, indoors and in my garden. I have never seen any family this big in Cosham.’

SEE ALSO: ‘We’ll Meet Again’ - schoolgirl’s VE Day anniversary song has lockdown message for friends and family

@djalishauk wrote: ‘Ah I can’t see my family but street parties with strangers are allowed, ok.’

While @mabel_mouse_ tweeted: ‘BBC News just showed us a street in Cosham where a street party is going on for #VEDay75. No social distancing going on whatsoever. So irresponsible. It's ok the NHS staff will pick you up when you fall with Covid 19.’

One user argued that people might have looked closer together due to the angle of the picture.

@runwithmartin wrote: ‘It looked tight but better from another angle. I'd say just about observing 2m.

Other Cosham residents jumped in to defend the area.

Kelly Turner wrote: ‘Please don’t judge everyone in Cosham. We did not all gather closely in huge crowds. Some of us celebrated using social distancing.’

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