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Police chiefs are concerned that the “utter confusion” over the easing of lockdown restrictions in England could lead to a new influx of visitors into Wales.
Boris Johnson announced an easing of the coronavirus lockdown on Sunday, but the rules only affects England.
The Prime Minister revealed new advice to encourage a way out of lockdown, including saying people could travel to take their exercise.
First Minister Mark Drakeford said that chief constables in Wales have already reported a “distinct increase in activity” over the weekend.
And North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones, fears people from across the border will head to North Wales’ mountains and spark scenes similar to those seen when hundreds of cars parked at Snowdon in March.
Mr Jones stressed the message from NWP remained the same and they would still be stopping cars and fining people who did not have a good reason to be out on North Wales’ roads.
But, he said, the confusion would make it much more difficult to enforce the regulations here during the three-week extension to the overall lockdown.
Mr Jones said: “It’s going to be difficult to differentiate between people who live in North Wales and those who travel over the border. It’s a total shambles. “
The commissioner said people from England may believe they “can come here to have a picnic, go for a swim in the sea, sunbathe all day or go for a walk”, but said they will not be able to due to Wales’ more stringent lockdown conditions.
“We need to specify the travel for leisure and exercise in Wales is still non-essential and they still commit an offense by doing what is legal in England. We need further guidance from Westminster and Cardiff, “I have told NorthWalesLive.
Otherwise, it’s going to be difficult to get the message to people in England that the situation here hasn’t changed – and that they are still going to be stopped and still going to be fined if needs be if they have broken the law.
“I have real concerns about the number of people who will be tempted to head to North Wales, particularly as there is no restriction in England on how far people can travel in their cars to take exercise.
“The danger is that people will be traveling to places like Snowdonia and the Llyn Peninsula from cities like Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham because they will believe they have been given the green light to do so.
“It’s made our work here in Wales so much harder and it is so unnecessary.”
(Image: Dyfed-Powys Police)
Gwent Police and Crime Commissioner, Jeff Cuthbert, shares concerns that the message could cause confusion.
He says: “I heard what Boris Johnson said yesterday, whilst we are clear what the rules in Wales are, certainly in the eyes of the public I’m sure what he has said has muddied the water.
“I worried about my colleagues in England and how they will police the idea of ’staying alert’ – I’m not sure how that is going to happen.
“Undoubtedly, because of the strength of the English media there is going to be confusion in the minds of many people.
“It could well be because the prime minister didn’t mention the situation in Wales.”
Meanwhile John Apter, the national chairman of the Police Federation of England & Wales, said the new rules will be difficult to implement.
He says: “What we need from the Prime Minister and the Government now is clear and unambiguous messaging and guidance, explaining what exactly is expected of the public, so that my colleagues can do their level best to police it.”
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