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Scotland’s police will double their presence along the border with England after Nicola Sturgeon announced stricter restrictions against the coronavirus.
Police Chief Iain Livingstone said “highly visible patrols” will be used on the roads to “deter anyone who may be considering violating coronavirus travel restrictions.”
But the high-ranking police officer insisted that officers would not establish roadblocks.
The Prime Minister announced last night that she was banning people from other parts of the UK from traveling to Scotland during the holiday season.
Measures will be implemented across Scotland to combat a powerful new strain of the virus that was identified in the south.
In a statement today, the police chief said: “I make it clear that I do not consider it appropriate or proportionate for officers to set up checkpoints or barricades simply to enforce travel restrictions.
These restrictions are a preventive measure to stop the progress of Covid, and the Scottish Police will support this approach with a strong operational profile to deter those who would put others at risk.
“Today, I have authorized the doubling of our operational presence in the border areas of Scotland.
“These highly visible patrols will be proactively deployed on our road networks to continue our operational activity and ensure drivers and vehicles are fit to drive.
“The patrols will also deter anyone who is considering violating coronavirus travel restrictions at night.”
He added that “when officers come across willful, persistent, or flagrant violations, we will act decisively to enforce the law.”
It comes as the UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps urged people in London and the South East not to travel.
He said in a statement: “It is incredibly important that people follow the guide, stay home and do not try to travel. Our goal must be to stop the spread of this virus, protect lives and our NHS.
“If you are on Level 4, the law means you must stay home and you cannot spend the night away from home. In the rest of the country, you must stay local.
“Follow the signs and please do not come to a station unless you are allowed to travel.
“Additional BTP officers are being deployed to ensure that only those who need to take essential travel can travel safely.”
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