Shops urged to police the use of face masks

Rank-and-file police officers are urging shops to refuse entry to people not wearing face coverings after some high street chains said they will not penalise customers who fail to do so.

Police can hand out £100 fines to people in shops, shopping centres, banks, takeaways, post offices, sandwich shops and supermarkets in England who flout the rules.

But John Apter, who is the national chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said forces "do not have the resources" to widely enforce the law that came into force on Friday.

He said: "It is our members who are expected to police what is a new way of living and I would urge retail outlets to play their part in making the rules crystal clear - if you are not wearing a face covering then you are not coming in.

"Officers will be there to help stores if needed - but only as a last resort, as we simply do not have the resources.”

Government guidance states that staff in premises where face coverings are required are encouraged to "take reasonable steps to promote compliance with the law" and can refuse entry to people who do not have a valid exemption under the rules.

Tom Ironside, director of business and regulation at the British Retail Consortium trade association, said the role of retailers is to "remind and encourage compliance" and "where the rules aren't being followed enforcement will be a matter for police.”

The Government says there is also evidence that face coverings increase confidence in people to shop.