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A police chief has said that the three-week closing “grace period” has ended and that the application of social distancing will “intensify.”
Northamptonshire Police Chief Nick Adderley said the force will now strengthen enforcement of the coronavirus regulations.
He said people in the county could now face fines or a criminal record.
According to the police chief, a small number of people had been breaking the regulations, and some officers were “harassed” by members of the public.
He said the force may have to resort to more extreme measures, such as road blocks and searching for shopping carts in case people continue to break the rules.
The image in Northampton is familiar to those across the UK, who may have witnessed crowds of people in parks over the weekend despite social distancing rules.
Mr. Adderley’s intervention comes after one of his officers was spit and coughed up, forcing him to isolate himself from his sick mother.
He wrote on Twitter: “So a reality check: One of my officers was spit and coughed up last night by a man who claimed to have Covid-19.
“The officer is the primary caregiver for his mother who has cancer. Now he will have to isolate himself and will no longer be able to care for his mother.”
“Full social assistance support has been implemented and we will support her mother where we can. We are working with the CPS to expedite such cases and ensure that the maximum penalties and sanctions are imposed.”
(Image: Bath Chronicle)
“Filthy, degrading and life-threatening assault on our colleague.”
Meanwhile, Lancashire police said Callum Heaton, 23, had been jailed for 12 months for spitting on two officers while claiming he was infected with the virus.
Heaton, who was arrested for being drunk and messy in Burnley on Saturday, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault on an emergency worker and one of criminal damage in Burnley Magistrates Court on Monday.
A Lancashire police spokesman said: “It is totally unacceptable that the police and other front line workers who are doing everything possible to keep our communities safe are treated this way.”
(Image: PA)
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society in Wales reported that pharmacists also faced aggressive and abusive behavior.
Society director Elen Jones said: “I was surprised to hear that pharmacy teams are verbally abused and even spat upon.
“I have also heard of fights starting off the pharmacy premises. This is totally unacceptable behavior.
“Community pharmacists and their teams are doing everything possible to help in very difficult circumstances.
“They are under considerable pressure and need the public’s help so they can continue to provide vital health care support.”
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