Hammer home message
Clear advice to stick to the rules in unprecedented times
CH. INSP. LEX BAILLIE
Strange times indeed and so many new things happening in the world and we all have to adapt.
I didn’t use the word ‘unprecedented’ very often until now.
I find that ‘exceptional’ and ‘extraordinary’ have also crept in to my daily vocabulary.
The situation we find ourselves in at the moment is all of these things.
It is a global pandemic the likes of which we have never experienced – and it is difficult for everyone to appreciate how dangerous it is.
Now, more than ever, we have to take care of ourselves and others.
The advice from the government is clear and has not changed.
It remains that we should all stay at home except for these limited reasons:
- To shop for basic necessities
- For one form of exercise a day
- For medical/care needs, or to help a vulnerable person –
- To travel to and from work but only if it is a necessity. and local officers will be supported by colleagues who are returning to frontline duties to ensure the service we provide in the communities is not affected.
We shall continue to maximise our visibility in the community.
My officers will not attend as many calls in person to record information that could be taken over the phone.
This is for the safety of the public and for my officers.
I have increased patrols around the shops that are open to ensure public order and we will be working with the new legislation which prevents public gatherings.
My hope is that we do not have to use this legislation but, where we are given no option, my officers will enforce it to protect the public.
The community have been brilliant and seem to be adapting to the new way of life.
I do not expect any resistance as the consequences of the COVID-19 virus have been well publicised.
Looking ahead the government and medical experts are predicting that we shall not see the peak of this for another two or three weeks and I have no doubt our plans will evolve and develop as time passes.
My message is simple – please take care of yourself and each other.
Do not risk your health or the health of others and follow the medical advice as the situation develops.
Please keep safe.