'Don't be remembered for putting people at risk': Top cop warning to public to keep saving lives by staying indoors

As the experts report that the UK appears to have passed the peak of new coronavirus infections there are fears people will draw their own conclusions and decide this is the time to relax social distancing measures.

Public Health England have said 234 people had died in Northamptonshire hospitals when the latest grim figures were collated at 5pm on Monday - and a further 42 deaths in county care homes which included mention of Covid-19 on the death certificate between April 10 and April 24.

Assistant Chief Constable Simon Blatchly thanked the public for their 'widespread compliance' across Northamptonshire but said the battle against Covid-19 is not over yet.

“I realise this is difficult but we are in this together - we know our actions are saving lives but it is absolutely crucial we don’t undo our good work by starting to make unnecessary journeys or to socialise with people we don’t share the same house with.

“However to repeat to those who do break the rules: When this is all over, do you really want to be remembered as one of the people who were fined for risking the lives of your family and friends, and our brave NHS medics fighting COVID-19 on the frontline? We will fine you if we need to – please be under no illusion about that.”

Northamptonshire Police can issue penalty notices of £60 where they have reason to believe there has been an offence under the regulations. These penalties are doubled for each

repeat offence up to a £960 cap.

Lucy Wightman, director of Public Health for Northamptonshire, said: “The actions people are taking to stay at home and socially distance are working, the rate of infections is beginning to slow and we are seeing the number of deaths decreasing, which is good news.

"However, it’s very early days and there is a real danger that infections and deaths will significantly increase again if we don’t continue to adhere to the guidance.

“I want to pay tribute to the people of Northamptonshire who are doing a fantastic job in supporting social distancing and I urge you to continue. It is down to you that the numbers are now falling in the county and the curve has started to flatten. But I emphasise it’s not over and there is still some way to go before we can be confident that rates have slowed significantly enough to lift the measures in place."