No arrests have been made for breaches in the COVID legislation for three weeks in Wiltshire.
The Force also saw a fall in the number of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) issued by officers for breaches in the last week.
Between Monday 18 May – 24 May, the Force recorded:
• 10 incidents linked to COVID19 – compared to 33 the week before
• Eight crimes linked to COVID19 – compared to nine the week before
• Issued six Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) – compared to 18 the week before
• No arrests for breaches in the COVID legislation for a third week running
Chief Constable Kier Pritchard said: “Once again, I would like to publicly thank our communities for continuing to adhere to the guidance and for taking personal responsibility for their actions during this time.
“The fact that we’ve not needed to make a single arrest for breaches to the COVID legislation for three weeks in a row demonstrates our commitment to focus on engaging with our communities rather than jumping to enforcement.
“We have also seen the numbers of FPNs issued in the county drop from a high of 63 a week back in April to just six in the last week. This indicates that our communities are following the guidance and removing the need for my officers to enforce the legislation.
“As we head into another sunny weekend, I would ask that you all continue in this manner and act in a safe, responsible way.
“We know that the Government guidance will be relaxing slightly from next week in terms of being able to see friends and family, but it is important to note this hasn’t changed yet and won’t over the weekend.
“Officers, including special constables, will be out and about once again this weekend – they are there to help keep you safe and I am grateful to them all for their continued work during such unprecedented times.”
Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon Angus Macpherson said: “These figures continue to reassure me that officers are using engagement with our communities as their main tool as we continue to work through this pandemic.
“Enforcement has been, and will remain, a last resort for officers in Wiltshire.
“I would like to extend my thanks to every single person in our county who continues to adhere to the guidance as, by doing so, you are slowing the spread of this virus and saving lives.
“The relaxation in some of the guidelines from the Government next week is in recognition of this national effort and we must all keep going in this direction.
“I would like to echo the Chief Constable’s thanks to all officers, volunteers and members of police staff who are working tirelessly to keep us all safe during these unsettling times.”
The latest guidance can be found at www.gov.uk
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