STURGEON SLAMS BORDER SHUT AND CUTS SCOTS OFF FROM UK
She urges police to enforce travel ban but force says action will be ‘last resort’
NICOLA Sturgeon dramatically slammed the Border shut yesterday – and demanded a crackdown on drivers who flout the rules.
The First Minister said the risk of more cases of a new mutant strain of coronavirus being brought to Scotland was now too high, and banned families from seeing loved ones in England over Christmas.
She ordered police to take a tougher approach to the existing travel ban – calling on officers to make it ‘very obvious’ that breaches will not be tolerated.
However, police chiefs last night appeared to contradict the First Minister and said ‘common sense and discretion’ would be used, with enforcement a ‘last resort’.
Cross-Border travel has been banned for several weeks anyway, except for essential purposes, but this was set to be dropped for five days over Christmas – until the First Minister’s U-turn.
That five-day period has now been cut to just one – Christmas Day – and people were told not to travel across the Border.
They will even be banned from leaving their own council areas.
Ms Sturgeon said: ‘In order to reduce the risk of more of the [coronavirus] strain being imported into Scotland, we intend to maintain a strict travel ban between Scotland and the rest of the UK.
‘Unfortunately, and I am genuinely sorry about this, that ban will remain in place right throughout the festive period.
‘We simply cannot risk more of this new strain entering the country.
That means people from Scotland not visiting other parts of the UK, and vice versa. Cross-Border travel for all but the most essential purposes is not permitted.’
She added: ‘It is for the police to decide, operationally, how they go about enforcement. I have said we would like the police to consider how they enforce it, in a way that makes it very obvious that people should not travel.
‘What I would say to the public is don’t make your decision on whether to travel, or to breach these travel restrictions, on a basis of whether you’re likely to get caught. You don’t wear a seat belt because you’re worried the police will catch you. You wear a seat belt because you know it’s for your own safety.
‘The reason why you should abide by these travel restrictions is the same – not because you might get caught breaching them, but because abiding by them might protect you and protect people you love.’
Police chiefs have been determined to take a light-touch approach to enforcing regulations during the pandemic, including the travel ban.
They have ruled out using ANPR spy cameras on the roads network, and again insisted last night that road blocks would not be used.
Fines for breaching the ban start at £30, but can rise to £960 for repeat offenders, and even more if people end up in court.
Assistant Chief Constable Alan
Speirs said: ‘I fully understand that people will be disappointed with the tightening of restrictions.
‘The vast majority of the public have been complying and so the policing approach we adopted from the outset will not change.
‘Our officers will continue to engage with the public, explain the legislation and guidance, and encourage compliance. We will use enforcement as a last resort.
‘The Chief Constable has called on people to take personal responsibility to do the right thing and remember that the purpose of these measures is to aid the collective effort to save lives.
‘We have been very clear that we will not be routinely stopping vehicles or setting up road blocks.
‘However, officers may in the course of their duties come across people who are travelling from one local authority area to another.
‘Where travel restrictions apply, officers will continue to use the common sense, discretion and excellent judgment that they have applied since the crisis began.’
Last night, motoring groups said they were worried that different messages would cause confusion.
Neil Greig, policy director at road safety charity IAM Roadsmart, said: ‘You’ve got police saying one thing and politicians saying another.
‘Abiding might protect you and those you love’
‘May lead to more drink driving on Christmas Day’
The majority of drivers will stick to the rules, but this does not help.’
He also raised concerns about people being told not to stay over on Christmas night, but instead drive home.
He added: ‘We are worried that may lead to more drink-driving on Christmas Day.’
That concern was echoed by police sources. One said: ‘The pandemic is very serious but we also have