Police tend to find it perfectly acceptable, just ensuring your safety, and that you are not trespassing on private property.
However if this snowfall becomes and regular occurrence in winters to come they may change there minds, and urban tend to damage council and private property.
Police seem to be fine with it, just trying to ensure you safety and satisfy there curiosity, just try not to block or inhibit pathways, and if pedestrians or residents opposes, i would move rather than be involved ?
Hope the snow returns !
Hope this helps !!!