Police get £860k extra funding for Covid response
CASH TO HELP ENFORCEMENT OF THE RULES
THE government is giving police more than £850,000 to bolster its enforcement of Covid19 rules.
The Leicestershire force will receive an £860,000 share of a £60 million Home Office pot.
Policing minister Kit Malthouse announced the fund in response to the wider pressures brought by the pandemic and to help maintain coronavirus enforcement, with £2 million also for enforcing new quarantine rules at airports in affected areas.
Leicestershire’s grant, worth £862,448, will help cover the costs of increased workforce demands for the force during the health crisis, enforcement of coronavirus regulations and improvements to ensure the police estate remains Covidsecure.
Police and crime commissioner Lord (Willy) Bach said: “Police forces have been at the forefront of national efforts to protect our communities and stem the spread of this awful disease.
“This funding recognises the part our hardworking officers have played taking on this additional role while also protecting their communities from the threat of crime. We remain at a critical stage of the health crisis and this funding will ensure we continue to deliver whatever resources and enforcement are necessary to save lives and keep people safe during lockdown and beyond, when the restrictions gradually begin to ease.
“I would like to thank people for continuing to support our efforts and would urge everyone to remain at home, follow hygiene advice and do whatever is necessary to keep Leicestershire safe.” The money is aimed at helping forces to maintain a business-as-usual approach to tackling crime, reducing offending and supporting public safety while helping the response to the pandemic.
Between the start of the first national lockdown, in March last year, and February 2 the force said it issued a total of 1,739 fines and received 21,508 reports of Covid incidents.