Number of police in isolation doubles in a month

THE number of police officers f orced to self- i solate has nearly doubled in a month.

Bosses are drafting people in to work overtime to cover absences, it has been claimed.

It emerged yesterday that at least 20 officers in Tayside have to stay off duty after some played football with a colleague who then tested positive for Covid.

Four players have contracted the virus but many team-mates have partners in the force, so all are off work as a precaution.

Meanwhile, several officers at Larkhall station, Lanarkshire, are self-isolating after one was confirmed to have the virus.

They work at Hamilton Sheriff Court, which has undergone a deep clean.

In March, more than 2,000 officers – around one in eight – were off work due to the virus. Since

‘Bosses trying to plug gaps’

early last month, the number self-isolating has risen from 175 to 334 last week, which does not include the new cluster.

The Tayside outbreak is believed to centre on Dundee’s Lochee station. A source said bosses were trying to plug gaps, adding: ‘ More than 20 officers are having to isolate. If you think about the number of police on duty at any time in Dundee, it must mean loads of shortages.’

A source at Hamilton Sheriff Court said: ‘ Nobody else has been told to isolate.’

Dr Martin Donaghy, of NHS Lanarkshire, said: ‘Our Test and Protect team is investigating. There is no evidence a case was present at Hamilton Sheriff Court to enable transmission.’

Police Scotland said: ‘We have sufficient capacity.’