A stressed out dad has revealed the moment he was questioned by police when he went for a cigarette to get a five-minute break from his children.

Zia Khan, 31, filmed himself as he spoke to police who asked him why he was was sitting in his car.

One of the officers tells him: ‘Sitting in your car is not a lawful reason to come out in lockdown.’

However, Zia argues that he ‘just came out for five minutes’ breather from my kid.’

He tells them that he is living in emergency accommodation with just two rooms and asks if he should be smoking his cigarette inside with children around.

After being told to calm down, the dad says: ‘It’s a p**s take. Have you guys got nothing better to do?

‘It’s up to me. It’s none of your business. Is there anybody here with me? You have no right to ask me. Am I doing anything criminal? Go do your job please. Go away.’

He later added: ‘I couldn’t believe it when the police car approached me and told me it wasn’t lawful to sit in my car and to go back inside.

I really think they need to use common sense in situations like this. I was sitting in my car on my own.’

Assistant chief constable Mark Payne gave his backing to the PCSO who spoke to Zia.

He said: ‘Officers are working long hours in difficult circumstances, trying to find the right balance between engaging and educating people, and enforcing the laws.

‘There have been occasions where we’ve got the balance wrong over this period and we have been quick to say sorry when we have. This is not one of those occasions.

‘Our PCSO clearly explained why he was asking the man questions, as we are asking staff to do as part of our engaging and explaining strategy.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].

Source: Read Full Article