Johnson orders police to enforce mask laws

Prime Minister says more officers on streets will ensure public comply with rules on face coverings

BORIS JOHNSON has ordered more police on to the streets to enforce the wearing of face coverings which will become compulsory by law in most indoor settings from August 8.

The Prime Minister said the plans to extend masks to venues like museums, cinemas and places of worship would require a “greater police presence” to enforce the rules and levy £100 fines.

A Government source said: “You are going to see more police out and about, not only doing their policing duties but more active in their role enforcing these Covid-19 rules.”

The instruction is likely to put Mr Johnson at odds with some policing leaders who believe compulsory face coverings are “impossible to enforce”.

It emerged yesterday police handed out just 13 fines to passengers not wearing masks on public transport in June – and only one outside the South East.

Mr Johnson voiced his concerns about the apparent failings in enforcement when he revealed he had asked Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, “to work with the police and others to ensure the rules which are already in place are properly enforced”.

He added: “That means local authorities acting to close down premises and cancel events which are not following Covid-secure guidance.

“And it means a greater police presence to ensure face coverings are being worn where this is required by law.

“Most people are following the rules and doing their bit to control the virus. But we must keep our discipline.”

New guidance is expected to be issued by the National Police Chiefs’ Council and a Government source said it was intended police should adopt a similar role as during lockdown when officers were visible in parks and other open spaces to help enforce the rules.

But Ken Marsh, chair of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said mixed messaging from the Government meant it would be virtually impossible to police.

“I doubt 50 per cent of people walking into shops are wearing facial coverings. Nor have I seen any signs saying you need to wear face coverings by law,” he said.

“We give fines to people but we have been massively criticised for that so my colleagues are reticent doing that.”

Police chiefs would prefer the onus to be put on shopkeepers to act against those without face coverings and only to turn to the police as a last resort.

John Apter, chair of the national Police Federation, said: “Where people are not wearing coverings we expect the owner of the premises or local authority to advise and act.”

Richard Drax, a member of the Commons defence committee, warned: “I am anxious at the authoritarian side of the debate. Making things mandatory sets the police against those they need to take care of, customer against shopkeeper and citizen against citizen.”

Tobias Ellwood, the defence committee chairman, called on the Government for more “robust” messaging around masks, explicitly stating that “wearing masks helps break the chain in contagion”. “The choice in defeating the spread is simple – return to full lockdown or learn to adapt with conditions,” he added.

Robert Halfon, chairman of the education committee, stressed the need for people to keep wearing masks despite the warm weather. “We’ve got to be out in the fresh air, we’ve been locked down for so long, but it’s common sense to keep the mask on, ” he said.

“Of course people are reluctant to wear them but what’s the choice? We risk a second spike and we are locked in again or we go out, enjoy the fresh air and wear the mask.”