Police boss thanks people in West Norfolk for staying home
With police in West Norfolk having been seen patrolling near-empty streets in recent days, the force has thanked people for listening to the Government's rules on staying home.
Yesterday photographer Ian Burt accompanied Beat Manager PC Mike Hopkins on patrol in Lynn town centre – where only a handful of people could be spotted on the streets which would usually be bustling with crowds.
While Norfolk Police has thanked the community for listening to the Government's message to stay at home, it has also said it will continue to follow its commitment to engage, explain, encourage and enforce the Government's measures restricting people's movements.
Chief Constable Simon Bailey said: "We police by consent in this country, and my officers follow a very fair four-step escalation model with the public and businesses.
"Our focus is to reassure, inform and engage with people so they understand why these restrictions are in place.
"Our communities are looking out for each other and listening to the government's message to stay at home, and I thank them for that."
Mr Bailey said complying with these regulations is an "absolute priority" to save people's lives and protect the NHS.
"We will always try to disperse people rather than use enforcement but it's also right that we act against the few who choose to break the rules and disregard these measures, and put people's lives at risk," he added.
It comes after police were called to break up a barbecue gathering in North Lynn at the weekend, which was alleged to be flouting the rules on gatherings of people during the coronavirus crisis.
Yesterday police confirmed they had attended an address in North Lynn at around 4.15pm on Saturday, but although they were alerted to reports of up to 30 people were at the house, they said only four people had been present when they arrived.
Officers were given the powers on Thursday, March 26 to fine people who refuse to stay at home and go outside without "reasonable excuse" following the introduction of government measures to tackle Covid-19.
To date (Tuesday, March 31), a spokesperson for Norfolk Police said it has only used its formal powers once during an incident in Great Yarmouth yesterday morning when a woman repeatedly ignored officers' requests to return home on three separate occasions.
The woman, who is aged in her 40s, was reported for the offence and will receive a summons to attend magistrates' court in due course.
Mr Bailey added: "The majority of people are already making sacrifices to save lives, and we continue to urge everyone to follow the advice that is designed to keep us all safe.
"If people see others flouting the rules we ask that they exercise common sense. We will not be able to dispatch officers for minor infringements.
"Clearly mass gatherings of people are not a minor infringement and we want to know about these so we can deal with them."
And anyone who deliberately spits and coughs on emergency workers and members of the public will be "dealt with robustly" as it is an offence and will be treated as assault.
"I'd also take this opportunity to pay tribute to all our officers, staff and Special Constables who, alongside emergency workers, NHS staff and other key workers, are on the frontline," Mr Bailey added.
"They are doing outstanding work in challenging times.”
People are being encouraged to report non-urgent crimes or concerns via online reporting at http://www.norfolk.police.uk/.
Only dial 999 in an emergency or if you believe a crime to be in progress. Non-urgent crimes can be reported via 101 but where possible police are encouraging the public to report matters via the website.
Norfolk Police also regularly updates its social media accounts with the latest news, general advice and guidance on a number of issues, including personal safety, fraud and home security. You can find them on Facebook or Twitter @NorfolkPolice.
