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Many police officers are “absolutely mystified” about the role and powers of the government’s new “COVID-19 marshals,” according to a senior law enforcement representative.
Ken Marsh, president of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said sheriffs would make little difference if they couldn’t enforce coronavirus laws.
Sky News has been told that there are no plans to give sheriffs the power to arrest those who fail to abide by the stricter rules on social gatherings.
It is believed that they will wear high visibility clothing and guide the public
The prime minister announced Wednesday that sheriffs would “boost local enforcement capacity” by establishing new laws to restrict most types of gatherings to groups of six.
But the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has confirmed that there are no plans to give bailiffs powers to impose fines.
A spokeswoman said they would likely wear high-visibility clothing to support members of the public, offering guidance on the new rules on the size of social gatherings and advice on safe one-way systems from COVID.
Many local authorities already employ street or neighborhood guards to patrol areas prone to high levels of antisocial behavior, and some city councils now assign them additional responsibilities. COVID-19.
The prime minister wants all local authorities to take the same approach.
But for now at least, the new bailiffs will only be able to give advice and guidance.
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The responsibility for providing personnel to act as bailiffs will rest with local authorities and it is not known whether the government plans to provide additional funding to those councils.
Ken Marsh told the Press Association: “Any help is good help, but what I would like to understand is what your role really is. What do we ask you to do?”
“Because if they don’t really have any power, you know what Joe Public will do very quickly. When you need to swing the stick, you have to have the ability to swing it.
“Are they for parks, are they for closed areas? I just don’t know, nobody knows.”
He added that there will be no difference in compliance “if you don’t have the capacity to enforce.”
Law enforcement leaders have stressed the need for “clarity” around the new measures when they are introduced next week.
Those who violate the new restrictions could face a fine of £ 100, which would double with each subsequent violation up to a maximum of £ 3,200.
