Now police can break up gatherings of more than 15

‘Not policing your social life’

POLICE will have more powers to break up house parties which breach coronavirus lockdown restrictions from today.

It follows concerns people are not following guidance limiting the numbers who can meet indoors.

It is feared house parties could become ‘super spreader’ events. From today, police will be able to break up indoor parties involving more than 15 people from multiple households.

Nicola Sturgeon yesterday stressed the powers will be used only as a last resort – and insisted that the Scottish Government is ‘not trying to police your social life’.

The First Minister said she fears the temptation to hold large indoor gatherings will be greater during the colder months ahead, and that evidence shows they pose a ‘significant transmission risk’.

But she added that the new powers will be a ‘last resort only’ for use in the ‘most blatant breaches of the guidance’, and will be reviewed every three weeks.

Miss Sturgeon said: ‘I want to make it clear – particularity to young people – this is not about trying to stop people having fun. We are not trying to police your social life.

‘Seeing and socialising with your friends is important, especially during what continues to be a very difficult period.

‘But... it needs to be done safely and responsibly.’

Addressing the justice sub-committee on Policing at Holyrood, Police Scotland Chief Constable Iain Livingstone said: ‘My colleagues were involved in discussions late last night and early this morning. I’ve been involved this morning as well as those proposals get firmed up.’

He added: ‘The concerns about the transmission indoors is one we have always recognised, and what I always fought to do is minimise risk.’ The Chief Constable also told the committee that spitting attacks on police officers more than doubled during lockdown.

Mr Livingstone defended the use of spit hoods, which can be used to stop such incidents. Human rights body Amnesty International has raised concerns over use of the hoods.

But Mr Livingstone said: ‘No member of Police Scotland, whether a police officer or police staff, should expect or tolerate being spat upon in the course of their duties.

‘Spit hoods are available, they will be used by officers and staff when it’s clear somebody is spitting upon them.

‘What’s happened over the course of the Covid period is a very small minority being deliberately aggressive and trying to frighten officers, and instances of spitting more than doubled over the Covid period.

‘Inevitably, the use of spit hoods will have increased.’ Mr Livingstone said the hoods can be used to prevent suspects spitting on officers, but do not protect them from Covid-19.

The Chief Constable said the hoods are used in ‘significantly less than 1 per cent’ of the instances of someone being taken into custody.

Last month it was revealed that attacks on police had soared during lockdown, with 20 assaults recorded every day.

In a submission by Police Scotland to the committee, it said 203 staff and officers have tested positive for Covid-19.

Officers are able to be tested if they have symptoms or if they believe they may have been in contact with someone who has coronavirus.