‘The three-week grace is over - you will be fined’: Chief Constable for Northants Police announces stricter COVID-19 policy

Officers will need a ‘reasonable explanation’ when a member of public is asked where they are going and why
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The Chief Constable for Northamptonshire Police has announced a change in policy in relation to how the force handles the COVID-19 pandemic.

From today (April 9), Ch Cons Nick Aderley, has instructed his police officers to enforce the coronavirus regulations and take action, in the way of fines and arrests, when needed.

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Up until this point, the force was working on the basis of engaging with the public, but that ‘period of grace’ is now over.

Police officers have now been instructed to enforce fines.Police officers have now been instructed to enforce fines.
Police officers have now been instructed to enforce fines.

Speaking at a briefing at Wootton Hall on Thursday morning, Ch Cons Adderley said: “When the lockdown was imposed I took the decision to work along the lines of engaging with the community and educating them of the reasons for the lockdown.

“Three weeks on we are starting to see the vast majority of the public are complying. They understand the need to stay at home to save lives and protect the NHS.

“To these people I want to say a huge thank you.

Chief Constable Nick Addeley announced the policy change today (April 9).Chief Constable Nick Addeley announced the policy change today (April 9).
Chief Constable Nick Addeley announced the policy change today (April 9).
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“Sadly though we have a small number of people who are persistently and consistently breaking the law, so that period of grace is over.

“From today police officers have been told to enforce the law and this could mean fixed penalties, arrests and court.

“I will do what I can to prevent the increase of the death toll and I am asking the public to do the same.”

Presently, the force has around 130 officers who are ill or self-isolating, which the Chief Constable says is similar to a busy summer holiday period, meaning business can be maintained ‘as usual’.

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Officers will now be instructed to go into groups of two or more, as well as asking individuals where they are going and why. If they do not have a reasonable explanation, a fixed penalty fine will be issued.

As examples of what is not reasonable, the Chief Constable used driving 10 or 15 miles to walk a dog, sunbathing in a park and being in big groups.

He went on to reiterate several times that his officers will use ‘common sense and their discretion’ when handing out fines.

Despite the closeness of the announcement to the start of the long weekend, Ch Cons Adderley insists this change in policy was going to happen anyway.

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“I was already working up to this. A period of grace of three weeks is long enough,” he continued.

“Regardless of whether it is a bank holiday weekend or not, it was going to happen today.

“I understand how frustrating this must be for people, especially if they don’t have a garden on their property, but my message is clear please understand that the silent killer is out there and you might not know you are carrying it and you could infect other people.”

For the time being, the force will not be setting up road blocks or marshalling supermarkets to monitor whether members of the public are shopping for necessities.

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However, Ch Cons Adderley made it clear that the county is only ‘a matter of days’ away from these additional steps if they are needed.

For now though, the main message is simple.

“Let’s be clear about what is required of you. Follow the guidelines, obey the law, save lives and protect the NHS,” Ch Cons Adderly said.

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