POLICE FACE CHALLENGE:
No powers in law to enforce separation distance Street cameras being used to monitor behaviour
SENIOR POLICE officers have admitted they face major challenges to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic after it emerged there are no powers to enforce social distancing in England.
Fresh guidelines issued by the College of Policing and the National Police Chiefs’ Council urges officers to only enforce what is written in law.
The document added that “government guidance is not enforceable – for example, two-metre distancing, avoiding public transport, or the wearing of face coverings in enclosed spaces”.
The advice, set out in the document published yesterday after being sent out to forces on Tuesday night, follows updated legislation which is being introduced.
Paul Griffiths, the president of the Police Superintendents’ Association, said the police service had worked “at pace” to understand the changes and translate them into operational guidance for officers, but it is “crucial” the public understands them too.
He added: “We have engaged regularly with the Government and national colleagues on the impact these changes will have on the public and the police. Our key message has been a call for clear and consistent messaging.”
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said officers could find working through the new rules “challenging”.
She added: “There is a lot for the officers to work through and think about, and of course not being socially distanced itself is not against the law. So it is a challenging role. As the easing comes, of course the restrictions and the lack of restrictions if you like are now slightly more complicated.
“The officers will find it challenging on occasion working through that I am sure.”
Meanwhile, it emerged street cameras are being used to measure whether people are keeping two metres apart.
Neither the original Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020 from March 26 nor the amendment enacted at 12.01am yesterday state that keeping two metres apart is a legal requirement.
Published guidance previously issued to forces on how to police the original rules in England did not address whether two-metre social distancing was enforceable. By contrast, two-metre social distancing “is enforceable” by police officers in Wales, the advice says. But Welsh councils, not police forces, are responsible for making sure there is social distancing in workplaces, it adds.
While restrictions on gatherings can be enforced, restrictions on movement do not apply to homeless people, police were reminded.
Attention was also drawn to the higher fines now imposed in England – £100, reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days and rising to a maximum of £3,200 for subsequent offences. The human rights campaign group, Liberty, criticised the decision to increase fixed penalty notices and claimed confusion caused by unclear messages from the Government is a “recipe for injustice”.
There is a lot for the officers to work through and think about.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick.