Rule-breakers will be fined by police
THE government has warned police will enforce Covid-19 regulations and fine any rule-breakers.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said the “horrifying” death toll underlined the need for people to follow the coronavirus rules.
She told a Downing Street press conference yesterday that “most of the public” are complying with the restrictions.
But “a minority of people are putting the health of the nation at risk by not following the rules”.
Ms Patel said: “My message today to anyone refusing to do the right thing is simple: if you do not play your part our selfless police officers – who are out there risking their own lives every day to keep us safe – they will enforce the regulations.
“And I will back them to do so, to protect our NHS and to save lives.”
At a Downing Street press conference the Home Secretary said “far too often” police officers were risking their health and lives by “coming into close contact with people, including those who deny the very existence of coronavirus, to keep us all safe”. She added: “We are now at a critical stage in our battle against this virus.
“To protect those that you care about, and the capacity of our hospitals to protect us all, please stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives.”
Martin Hewitt, from the National Police Chief Council, hit out at the “stubborn minority” of people blatantly flouting the rules – saying police patrols will be increased and fines will be issued where necessary. Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick has spoken to councils “about the role that they have to play in enforcing the rules”, she said.
Police officers were also “moving more quickly to issuing fines where people are clearly breaching coronavirus regulations”, with nearly 45,000 fixed penalty notices issued across the UK.
Ms Patel said her message to the public was to “stick with the rules and stay at home”.
She also warned people not wearing masks on public transport would face action.
Mr Martin Hewitt has said officers will not “waste time” trying to reason with people who have “no regard” for the safety of others.
He outlined a series of recent examples of “irresponsible behaviour” – including a boat party in Hertfordshire with more than 40 people, and a minibus full of people from different households travelling from Cheltenham into Wales for a walk.
He said: “Organising parties or other large gatherings is dangerous, selfish and totally irresponsible in light of the current threat that we face. Organisers will be fined, but so too will the people who choose to attend.”
The Home Secretary added: “The rules are actually very simple and clear. We are meant to stay at home and only leave home for a very, very limited number of reasons.”