Minister's call to report virus rule breaches

A Home Office minister is encouraging people to call the police if they see their neighbours not complying with new coronavirus restrictions.

The "rule of six" came into force in England yesterday – any social gathering of more than six people is against the law, indoors or out, with people facing fines of up to £3,200 if they do not abide by the new measure.

Policing Minister Kit Malthouse said concerned neighbours should ring the non-emergency police phone number to report violations.

He said: "We are in discussions about what reporting mechanisms there might be, but there is obviously the non-emergency number that people can ring and report issues they wish to.

"It is open to neighbours to use the non-emergency number if they are concerned."

He said he had cancelled his own child's birthday party to avoid breaking the rules.

He said: "I had to cancel my own kid's birthday party next weekend.

"You cannot meet socially in groups of more than six in England and that includes children.

"While I understand that people will say they are mixing in school anyway, this is not about eliminating contact, it's about limiting contact."

National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) chairman Martin Hewitt denied that enforcement of the rule of six relies on people "grassing up" their neighbours.

He said: "I think what it relies on is all of us being responsible.

"We all have a responsibility to do what we can do, to take the steps that are required to stop the transmission and to abide by regulations so we can prevent this disease moving further through the country."