Hampshire Constabulary says it remains confident that local communities will continue to follow the regulations as a second national lockdown takes hold.
The force says that limiting the spread of the virus is primarily the responsibility of public health, but they know that their role is an important one and that compliance with Government legislation will be an influencing factor in mitigating risks for the public and the NHS at this important time.
Assistant Chief Constable, Maggie Blyth, has today (Thursday) said:
“Whilst Engaging, Explaining and Encouraging people to comply will remain a focus as officers react to the circumstances they are presented with, enforcement for blatant breaches is necessary.
“We know lots of people are weary of the changes to the rules and recognise the impact of the pandemic on people’s livelihoods and the impact of these further measures. As part of our response, we will work closely with partners and communities over the coming days and weeks. The support we continue to give to the public of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight remains vital.
“To the vast majority who have complied with restrictions throughout this year. I’d like to, again, say thank you and urge you to please carry on doing so to ensure that we do not lose the momentum and shared purpose that we have had so far. To the minority who feel that the restrictions do not apply to them, including those organising large gatherings and deliberately holding parties or events that put people at risk, please be aware that we are increasing our levels of enforcement in line with the threat that we are facing to people living in our communities, and to our NHS.
“We won’t waste time with endless encouragement for those who knowingly or deliberately break the rules. People recklessly ignoring the regulations should expect to receive a fixed penalty notice. It is only right that those who are putting others at risk should face consequences.
“I would also urge people to please refrain from calling us to ask questions about the new legislation, we need to keep our lines open for emergency calls.
Article continues below this advertisement “Thank you for your ongoing commitment. Hampshire Constabulary remains committed to playing its part keeping you and our communities safe in these unprecedented times”.
What lock down dont see how anyone can call this a lockdown
Yeap, pathetic attempt at trying to show you are doing something in government to try and stop the inevitable spread of this virus. Penalising those businesses who have no doubt the absolute least to do with any increase in cases.
Agree MJC, businesses are having to take the hit and close and possibly some may not even reopen again. But my thoughts are, certain people are responsible for spreading this virus. The ones you see on the streets after the pubs have closed at 10pm, all in mass groups not giving a fig for social distancing. The younger kids hanging around on the streets at night when they should quite obviously be at home, the illegal parties, the non believers or don’t understand social distancing idiots…… IRRESPONSIBLE PEOPLE have spread this virus because they couldn’t do as they were asked……Dominic Cummings i hear you say. Agree, he should have so been prosecuted for blatant disregard of the travelling rules at that time.
We are ALL likely to catch this within the next year or two, best get it sooner before you are older maybe?
That may not be a wise move, as immunity may only be short lived, and therefore you may get it more than once. I say ‘may’ cos even the so-called experts aren’t sure.
So can we call or not, do we class anyone breaking lockdown as an emergency? The last time I did I was told ” Not a police matter !!!! “
Oh dear, the ACC seems to have forgotten the fourth ‘E’ as laid down by the National Police College. Engage Explain, Encourage and the fourth
is Enforce. Is Hampshire Police going to ‘Enforce’………..Discuss.
they dont really care they are out there getting full pay and do the very best to belittle every one
Did you forget the 5th E? Apparently that is Execute.
Do you remember that Supertramp album “Crisis What Crisis ? “. It’s all a bit of a farce.
Excellent post Maggie, majority do adhere to the guidelines. It’s the ‘i will do what I want’ as you state need to be fined if they break the rules. This includes all the drunks that congregate in the street drinking and blantantly ignoring the social distancing rules.
A modern, liberal democracy means … fundamental liberties, freedom of association, freedom of expression, freedom to protest and freedom to be with your family. So exactly what are our police doing enforcing tyranny ?
Why is the has carwash still open in sandown?
The government list says carwashers should be closed.
Waverley Park Campsite in East Cowes looked open too, as does Lower Hyde (Again)
Run by those who don’t use much English, so maybe don’t understand the new rules yet?
There is an illegal rave apparently happening at Ventnor end of the landslip soon, not sure when though, probably this weekend. Where are the police going to be ?
As far away as possible, for to fine them is wasting their time as the courts will not peruse such action, and IF they did, the press would make out that some little innocent now has been tarnished with a criminal record or stigma, ‘just for having an nice time’
Such is the power of the press with a gulible and naive populace now, or just those trying to claim ‘compo’ for damage, stress etc of being arrested for having fun.
grass!