Boris begs Northamptonshire's public not to add to the burden of policing during Covid-19 pandemic

Boris Johnson used his visit to Northamptonshire to send out an appeal not to add to the burden on the county's police.

The Prime Minister just over an hour at the Force's Wootton Hall Park HQ on Thursday discussing policing during the Covid-19 pandemic and following on from his latest announcement of new restrictions on movement and mixing.

Last week's introduction of the Rule of Six and extending rules on wearing face coverings indoors were followed by giving police powers to imposed fines ranging from £200 to £10,000 for those flouting the new laws.

Giving an interview to the broadcast media against a backdrop of thunder from the storm that hit Northampton just before lunchtime on Thursday, Mr Johnson said: "Our police do an amazing job and I don't want to add extra burden to our police.

"Our police work tirelessly to serve our communities and make our streets safer, often in the most difficult of circumstances.

"We are grateful for their vital assistance throughout the pandemic. It was fantastic to meet some of them today in Northampton.

"As you know we are increasing the officers on the streets in this country by 20,000, a lot of them being recruited here in Northamptonshire where they're doing an outstanding job.

"But what they must do now is help the public to work together and get the rate of the virus down, protect the education and the economy and save lives.

"Nobody wants to put these fines in place, it's the last thing anyone wants to see.

"This is a great freedom loving country but we've got to work together now to suppress the virus, allow education and the economy to continue.

"That's the balance in this package, it's about working together to drive down the virus now, but also keeping education and the economy going and that's what the Chancellor is also setting out today."

The Rule of Six made it illegal to meet up in groups of more than six people, including children, indoors or outdoors.

Under new measures announced earlier this week office workers are again being told to work from home if possible; pubs, bars and restaurants will be restricted to table service only and must close at 10pm every day; face coverings must be worn by taxi drivers and passengers, retail staff and customers in indoor hospitality venues except when seated at a table to eat or drink

And from Monday weddings will be limited to 15 in groups of six.