Six Covid marshals to monitor behaviour

Patrolling town centres, parks and supermarkets

COVID marshals are set to be deployed in West Berkshire to monitor behaviour and encourage social distancing.

Six marshals – technically known as coronavirus support officers – will be placed to monitor town centres, supermarkets and the district’s parks.

At the time of going to print, it is unclear where the marshals will be deployed and what powers they will have.

West Berkshire Council leader Lynne Doherty said she had had far more residents complaining about other residents’ behaviour during the third national lockdown and Covid marshals would help encourage the correct behaviour.

She said: “People are used to following the guidance and rules and people are being far more vocal.

“We saw it early doors with concerns about the skate park, and I’ve heard about people congregating in the town centre.

“Supermarkets do seem to be a hotspot because people are thinking why can’t somebody just take a minute and let somebody finish before they move in.

“People are complaining that they want to go to the supermarkets and do it right.

“I think having somebody there with the remit to have difficult conversations – and people get used to that idea that there will be people who pick up on this behaviour – will support our efforts going forward and encourage social distancing that we all know will be with us for some time to come.

“We’re seeing a steady decline in our case numbers and we’ve got to do all we can to continue that.”

Mrs Doherty added that the council had not deployed Covid marshals previously because most of its efforts had been going towards making sure businesses were compliant with coronavirus measures.

I’ve heard about people congregating in the town centre