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A “stubborn number” of people still refuse to follow the rules during the third coronavirus shutdown in England, said the chairman of the Council of Chiefs of the National Police.
Speaking at a press conference in Downing Street, Martin Hewitt said that forces across the UK have issued almost 45,000 tickets for violations of COVID-19 rules.
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Police release images of COVID-19 violations
Joining him was Interior Minister Priti Patel, who insisted that the current restrictions were “very simple and clear” as well as “tough enough.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has kept the possibility of further action open, warning that the government “may have to do more” if ministers feel the restrictions “are not being adequately respected.”
As the debate continues over the possible introduction of even more stringent measures, the focus has been renewed on whether police forces should take a tougher stance in enforcing the rules.
Crime and Police Minister Kit Malthouse previously told Times Radio that officers would take a new “high-profile” approach, which could include detaining people and asking why they are not home.
Police Chief Hewitt revealed that there will be more officers on dedicated patrols to deal with those who disobey regulations.
He said officers will not “delay” trying to persuade people to obey the rules, nor will they “waste time” trying to reason with people who show “no consideration” for the safety of others.
Police Chief Hewitt said recent examples of “irresponsible behavior” include a boat party in Hertfordshire attended by more than 40 people, and a minibus of people from different households traveling to Wales from Cheltenham for a ride.
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Masks in London’s Borough Market
He said officers would “continue to interact with people” but suggested they would have less tolerance for violations given that the UK has been living with COVID-19 restrictions for nearly a year and is in the “most dangerous stage of the war. pandemic”.
“We will talk to people and explain. But I think the rules are clear enough for people to understand, we have been in this process for 10 months,” he said, adding that people must take “personal responsibility” for their actions.
The interior secretary said the “appalling” number of deaths from coronavirus showed the need for people to abide by the rules, with a plus 1,243 deaths reported Tuesday.
Patel said “the majority of the public” is doing this, but “a minority is putting the health of the nation at risk by not following the rules.”
She added: “My message today to anyone who refuses to do the right thing is simple: If you don’t play your role, our selfless police officers, who are risking their own lives every day to keep us safe, will enforce the regulations.
“And I will support them to do so, to protect our NHS and save lives.”
Ms Patel revealed that her cabinet colleague Robert Jenrick, the secretary of communities, has spoken with city councils “about the role they should play in enforcing the rules.”
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Hancock: ‘Don’t bend the rules’
“We are now at a critical stage in our battle against this virus,” he continued.
“To protect your loved ones and the ability of our hospitals to protect us all, stay home to protect the NHS and save lives.”
The interior secretary faced multiple questions at the press conference about whether the rules were clear enough to understand and strict enough to control the virus.
“The British public is absolutely level-headed, conscientious, gets the stay-at-home message,” he said.
However, there have been suggestions in recent days that the “stay local” directive for exercise not clear enough and open to various interpretations about the distance that he is allowed to travel to do it.
Police leaders have asked ministers to clarify the “woolly” rule.
Derbyshire police initially fined two women £ 200 each for traveling separately to a reservoir for a walk about five miles from their homes. before apologizing and rescinding your fixed penalty notices.
On Sunday, the PM was seen cycling in the Olympic Park in East London, which is seven miles from Downing Street.
When asked about these two incidents, Ms. Patel said that “we all have to exercise our judgment and be very mindful of how we act.”
He added: “When it comes to exercising, I do say stay local, it’s absolutely crucial.”
Referring to Johnson, the home secretary said it was important to stay away from other people “which is clearly what the prime minister did when he did his daily exercise.”
Police Chief Hewitt said it would be “challenging” to define how far people can travel to exercise.
“I don’t think we are in a position where we want to set a particular distance because if a police officer were to stop someone, how would they prove that a person is within or outside of that distance,” he said.
