PATROLS POST 'LOVELY VIEWS ON OUR TRAVELS' WHILE FUTURE KING LAUGHS AT 'FUNNIEST VIDEOS SEEN IN A LONG TIME'

LIVING in lockdown through the scourge of coronavirus has had few positives these past perilous weeks for people in and around Atherstone.

But the local police and Prince of Wales find themselves in perfect harmony today in extolling "good news" emerging in spite of Covid-19 misery.

With many communities at home under strict Government guidelines, crime in North Warwickshire has taken a relative back seat with burglaries in the last year down 20 per cent – and the pandemic only likely to have distorted the March figure slightly, police believe.

Atherstone and Coleshill Safer Neighbourhood Team patrols have been able to report back "mainly all quiet" on the rural front and their social media postings are now brightened with images of the beautiful North Warwickshire countryside.

E shift sent back a 'picture postcard' setting with the comment: "This is just one of the lovely views we have seen on our travels today."

Certainly less vehicles on the road will have done the environment no harm and Atherstone SNT posted a picture of Hartshill Clock Bridge promising vigilance "through the night" after reported concerns of anti-social behavour in the area.

Atherstone's rural crime officer Carol Cotterill and police community support officer Sarah Fretter caught some 'stragglers' not keeping to social distancing guidelines. But it didn't stop the cops "making friends" – with the sheep.

Meanwhile, Britain's future king has spoken of the positives to come out of the coronavirus outbreak – including some of the "funniest videos I have seen for a long time".

Social media platforms have been awash with humorous videos posted by people across the globe seeing the funny side of the lockdown, and it appears some have tickled Prince Charles.

His comments came in an article for the latest edition of Country Life magazine, in which he praises the crucial role of Britain's farmers in keeping the country fed

Today he paid tribute to the "courage and selflessness" of health and care workers and the "heart-warming burgeoning of remarkable kindness" for those in need which has flourished in the country.

The prince, who has recovered after contracting coronavirus himself, said: "At a time of great anxiety and loss, the courage and selflessness of all those involved in the medical and caring professions have been truly humbling.

"Beyond the walls of the hospitals, care homes, doctors' surgeries and pharmacies, we have also seen a heart-warming burgeoning of remarkable kindness and concern for those in need across the country.

"Younger people shopping for older folk, some making regular telephone calls to those living alone, church services recorded and emailed to parishioners and, of course, we have seen the very best use of technology – allowing us to keep working, but also to keep in touch through virtual parties, games, singing – and some of the funniest videos I have seen for a long time.

"In such testing times, it is reassuring to see that adversity is bringing out the very best in people."

It is not known which videos Charles was referring to, but one which has proved popular features blogger Victoria Emes singing Gloria Gaynor's hit record I Will Survive, but with the lyrics have been changed to poke fun at her life in lockdown with her husband and two small children.

Wearing a leotard and dancing around her home she belts out: "As long as I have internet, I know I'll stay alive."

Another favourite with social media users is a video of a man who listens to a voice offering him two coronavirus choices.

The first is A – quarantine with your wife and child, but before the narrator can explain the second option he picks B.