Police warn pupils: Do not mingle

Kent Police wrote to schools in the Tonbridge area urging them to ensure pupils do not breach Covid restrictions ahead of their return to school this week. A letter was to be distributed to parents to remind them that lockdown restrictions remain in place and to encourage children not to mingle with their friends before or after lessons.

It said: “We are looking forward to seeing our young children return to schools as this has been a very difficult time for them and wish them all well. “We do ask that children are reminded of the current Covid guidance when they are travelling to and from homes. “Please encourage them to make their way straight to school and not meet beforehand with their friends in public. “At the end of the school day the warmer weather will undoubtedly entice children into parks and other public areas.

“However it is important again to remember the rules only allow one person from another household at a safe distance outside and only as part of daily exercise.

“During the next few weeks our officers will be out in several locations for reassurance purposes and to ensure the safety of children and other people.” Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott thinks writing the letter was the sensible thing to do. He said: “The action the force has taken to communicate with parents is a responsible thing to do; better to do it ahead of time rather than after the event.

“The force has a good policy of engaging with young people; I hope they will listen and that parents and schools will too and that infection rates will continue to drop,” he said. He added that he understood that it had been hard for children under lockdown to be prevented from seeing their friends but that the force had to be on its guard against potential problems now schools have returned.

A police spokesman confirmed the letter was not directly issued to parent or carers, but had been sent to schools in the Tonbridge area to disseminate.