Wiltshire Police Community Support Officers are to go on high-profile proactive patrols to encourage members of the public to comply with covid guidance and regulations.
Those who flout the rules can expect enforcement, the police warn
The move comes in response to the Prime Minister's announcement regarding the progress of the pandemic last week.
The force says the proactive targeted work will also be supported by our front line police officers, staff and special constables, who will continue to police the restrictions alongside their everyday duties.
Between 24 July and 27 September, Wiltshire officers:
- Issued two covid-related fixed penalty notices, the first relating to an incident in Swindon when someone was not wearing a face covering inside a petrol station, and the second relating to a house party in Devizes
- Created 557 Covid-related logs, to track telephone and online reports about potential breaches of the regulations. Of those logs, 19 were calls from businesses or members of the public who wanted help in enforcing face covering legislation
Assistant Chief Constable Deb Smith said it was clear from engagement with communities in Swindon and Wiltshire that, while the vast majority of people were complying with regulations, more needed to be done to target the small minority who were deliberately and repeatedly flouting the rules.
She added: “From the beginning of the pandemic we have focused on engaging with the public, explaining the situation and encouraging people to adhere to the various rules and regulations.
“For the large part this has worked very well and we have been pleased to see so many people taking them seriously and doing everything they can to keep people safe.
“However, the Prime Minister has made it clear that we all need to be doing more to try to stop the spread of the virus, which is why we have organised these proactive teams of PCSOs to allow us to respond swiftly to concerns from the public and also carry out high-visibility patrols of areas or businesses where we have received information about repeated breaches.
“Up until now we have issued very few FPNs – mainly due to the success of our engagement approach and the high levels of compliance across Wiltshire and Swindon – but we need people to understand the legal requirements which support the guidance and that we will take action against those who deliberately or repeatedly ignore the rules.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson said he wholeheartedly supported the force taking a tougher approach, working alongside partnership agencies including the two local authorities.
He added: “One of the biggest challenges which has faced police forces is how to enforce the restrictions, while still dealing with the rising everyday demand that policing across the country is having to manage.
“I believe using these dedicated teams of PCSOs is a sensible idea.
“Although all our frontline police officers and staff will still respond to covid breaches as part of their everyday duties, these PCSOs will be focused on policing the restrictions and will hopefully provide some high-visibility reassurance for our businesses and local communities.”
