You are here
Home > News > London cops ‘deeply regret’ Easter virus raid on Polish church

London cops ‘deeply regret’ Easter virus raid on Polish church

On April 2, police interrupted a service at the Church of Christ the King in Balham, south London.
Andrzej Fryzicki/YouTube

London’s Metropolitan Police has said it ‘deeply regrets’ closing down a Good Friday mass at a Polish church in the UK capital.

Officers told the congregation that lockdown restrictions had been breached and that they must leave the building or face a fine of GBP 200 (EUR 231) and arrest for failure to comply.Andrzej Fryzicki/YouTube

On April 2, police interrupted a service at the Church of Christ the King in Balham, south London, telling the congregation that lockdown restrictions had been breached and that they must leave the building or face a fine of GBP 200 (EUR 231) and arrest for failure to comply.

A police report said that some of the congregation were not wearing face masks and that social distancing was not being observed, as a result of which the officers decided that it would be unsafe to continue the service. 

But following the incident the police said that although it had a duty to “protect and support communities staying safe during the pandemic” its officers had gone too far.

Issuing a statement on Sunday, Detective Superintendent Andy Wadey from the Metropolitan Police said: “We know, however, that many people were very upset by what happened on Good Friday and we deeply regret that.”

Issuing a statement on Sunday, Detective Superintendent Andy Wadey from the Metropolitan Police said: parafia-balham.co.uk

He added that there had been “significant reflection and learning” by both officers and senior leaders at New Scotland Yard.”

After the police intervention, which was later broadcast on social media, Christ the King parish authorities claimed the police had breached their authority and that all government guidelines had been adhered to while the police were citing out-of-date rules on religious gatherings. 

Posting on Twitter, Poland’s Ambassador in London Arkady Rzegocki said: “I am pleased to learn there’s been a reconciliation between @metpoliceuk & the priests and parishioners of the Polish Church in Balham.Arkady Rzegocki/Twitter

Posting on Twitter, Poland’s Ambassador in London Arkady Rzegocki said: “I am pleased to learn there’s been a reconciliation between @metpoliceuk & the priests and parishioners of the Polish Church in Balham.

“I welcome their commitment to work together for healing through collaboration and engagement.”

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Top