Police chiefs' pledge "proportionate approach" to enforcing new Covid-19 rules in Northamptonshire

"We will engage with groups to explain importance of stopping the virus before moving to enforcement should they continue to flout the law"
Police will have powers to issue fines for anyone breaching new Covid-19 rules from MondayPolice will have powers to issue fines for anyone breaching new Covid-19 rules from Monday
Police will have powers to issue fines for anyone breaching new Covid-19 rules from Monday

Northamptonshire Police will take a "proportionate approach" to enforcing new Covid-19 regulations from Monday.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson set out a new "rule of six" restricting gatherings to a maximum of six people which will be enforced by police able to issue fines or make arrests.

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Officers handed out 359 fines in Northamptonshire during the first six weeks after the national lockdown started in March.

But Chief Constable Nick Adderley received criticism from some quarters over his approach to "engage, listen and educate" despite being given stricter enforcement powers during the early days.

Northants' Superintendent Elliot Foskett said: “The threat of Coronavirus has never gone away and it is vitally important that we all follow the regulations and restrictions put in place to prevent its spread.

“The new regulations are clear: From Monday, gatherings will be limited to six people both indoors and outside, in private homes, public outdoor spaces and venues such as pubs and restaurants.

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“We will continue to take a proportionate approach to enforcing the law, engaging with groups to explain the importance of stopping the virus spreading and encouraging compliance, before moving to enforcement should they continue to flout the law.

"At this point a Fixed Penalty Notice with £100 fine will be issued. This will double on each further repeat offence up to £3,200."

Police are asking people wanting to report breaches of the new rules online HERE rather than clog up 999 and 101 switchboards with calls.

At present, rules allow up to 30 people from two households, or six from multiple households, to meet outdoors.

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Pubs, restaurants, shops and other venues will stay open but people can only attend in groups of up to six. Venues will also need to allow for social distancing between groups.

Places of worship can also carry on but with a limit of six people attending per group.

Legal exemptions to the six person rule will apply. These will permit certain gatherings in any number, for example where your household or support bubble is larger than six, where gatherings are for work or education purposes, or where parenting is being shared across multiple households.

Further exemptions will also apply, such as for weddings, funerals, and organised team sports in a Covid Secure way.

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A full list of exemptions will be published on gov.uk before the law changes.

Parts of Northamptonshire have been in the spotlight as Covid-19 hotspots for some weeks with locals being asked to follow extra guidelines such as limiting contact with other households, working from home where possible and avoiding car sharing.

But Mr Johnson insisted on Wednesday that the new rules were necessary following a rise in the number of new coronavirus cases across the country.

He said: "These measures are not another national lockdown — the whole point of them is to avoid a second national lockdown.

"It breaks my heart to have to insist on these restrictions."