Police disperse crowd for dancing to the Hokey Pokey

Police in Hastings, England, dispersed a group of people who gathered at Alexandra Park on Sunday to "shake it all about" to the Hokey Pokey, according to the Daily Mail.

Around 50 people participated in the song and dance, including several young children. A video showed them holding hands and dancing in a circle despite current lockdown rules which state that people are only allowed outside to exercise with their household or one other person.

According to a post on anti-lockdown group A Stand in the Park’s Facebook page, "We stood around in clumps, chatting, over an area of about 20 metres across. Then music started from a boom box and a dance troupe did a short synchronised rehearsed routine." They noted that about 8 officers arrived shortly after, surrounded the group, and chatted with them, but otherwise "just stood about passively, doing nothing."

A Sussex police spokesman said they "were made aware" of the gathering and "attended to engage with those present, explaining the government’s coronavirus regulations and encouraging people to follow them."

The spokesperson added that "The government’s coronavirus regulations are in place to help stop the spread of the virus, protect the NHS and save lives. We will continue to use the four Es - engaging, explaining, encouraging and, where necessary and proportionate, enforcing."

The crowd voluntarily dispersed, with no arrests made or tickets issued.