Police and medics report
21 FINES, BUT PRAISE FOR THE MAJORITY AS PUBS REOPEN OUTSIDE LOCKDOWN ZONE
THE vast majority of people behaved themselves this weekend, whether they lived in areas where coronavirus restrictions had been eased or in the locked down city, according to police.
Officers were dashing from job to job as most of the county entered a new phase of the crisis and saw businesses, including a number of pubs, reopen after three months of lockdown.
However, the city remained under lockdown as public health officials and others work to turn around a rise in infections.
Police said its officers issued a total of 21 £100 fines to people they found breaching the coronavirus lockdown regulations in some way at the weekend.
In total, Leicestershire officers have issued 465 such fines since forces were granted enforcement powers at the beginning of the crisis.
Before the weekend, the force had said the level of policing required would be similar to a typical New Year’s Eve.
Yesterday, it revealed it received 478 calls on the 999 system on Saturday and 830 on Sunday.
Across both days, it received a total of more than 1,800 calls to the non-emergency 101 line.
Officers closed down a house party in South Wigston and emergency dispersal powers were introduced in response to violence in the centre of Market Harborough.
In a message to the public, Chief Constable Simon Cole said: “This time has been a huge challenge for all of us.
“We are effectively policing a force area where different government guidelines apply to different areas.
“But the way that my officers and staff have responded to this has simply been outstanding.
“Saturday night especially saw a massive effort across the whole area and I am very proud of the dedication and commitment which everyone involved has shown
“Across the protected area of Leicester and the surrounds there was huge compliance with the lockdown rules.
“Throughout the rest of the force area, the vast majority of residents were acting responsibly and adhering to guidelines.
“Thank you for this and for working with us to keep our communities safe and protected.
“Our thanks also go to our partners and volunteers who have been working alongside us and also carrying out tremendous work. “Members of our Special Constabulary have carried out tireless work and shown a massive effort in their duties, as have our partners including the local authorities and British Transport Police. “It has very much been a joint effort across the whole weekend.
“Sadly, there were, however, a number of incidents, too, which you will have seen.
“These are, of course, being taken very seriously and full investigative work is under way.
“Saturday night also saw a dispersal order placed in Market Harborough centre after reported incidents of low-level public disorder.
“For us, there is still a lot more work going forward and therefore we continue to ask you to be responsible.
“This is a continued public health crisis. If you are in the protected area, then please ensure you stay at home, you only travel if essential, you wash your hands regularly,
Across the protected area of Leicester and the surrounds there was huge compliance with the rules
Simon Cole
maintain two metres social distance from others and get tested if you do have any symptoms.
“If you live outside the area please still ensure you are adhering to government guidelines, staying responsible, socialising safely and maintaining social distancing.
“This is about our lives and our livelihoods and we all need to continue working together in order to stay safe together.
“Thank you to the vast majority of you who have been and continue to work with us in this way.”
PREPARED FOR ACTION: Police on their way to break up a house party in South Wigston. Below, responding to an incident. But ‘the vast majority’ behaved well