The government has today (26 March 2020) made new public health
regulations strengthening police enforcement powers in England,
to reduce the spread of coronavirus, protect the NHS and save
lives.
To ensure people stay at home and avoid non-essential travel,
from today, if members of the public do not comply the police
may:
- instruct them to go home, leave an area or disperse
- ensure parents are taking necessary steps to stop their
children breaking these rules
- issue a fixed penalty notice of £60, which will be lowered to
£30 if paid within 14 days
- issue a fixed penalty notice of £120 for second time
offenders, doubling on each further repeat offence
Individuals who do not pay a fixed penalty notice under the
regulations could be taken to court, with magistrates able to
impose unlimited fines.
If an individual continues to refuse to comply, they will be
acting unlawfully, and the police may arrest them where deemed
proportionate and necessary.
However, in the first instance the police will always apply their
common sense and discretion.
Home Secretary said:
The Prime Minister has been clear on what we need to do: stay
at home to protect our NHS and save lives. All our frontline
services really are the best of us and are doing an incredible
job to stop this terrible virus from spreading.
That’s why I’m giving the police these new enforcement powers,
to protect the public and keep people safe.
In addition to the new powers, a package of support has been
unveiled to boost police resources.
Around 1,500 additional police officers have already joined
forces across England and Wales since September 2019 as a result
of the police recruitment campaign.
Today, the government is leading by example and will ensure that
existing Civil Servants who are already volunteering as Special
Constables are able to assist in the national effort to the
greatest extent possible.
Additionally, in recognition of their value and expertise and in
order to increase capacity and resilience, the government has
committed to relaxing tax and pensions rules which could deter
officers nearing retirement and those recently retired from
returning to serve.
The government is also speaking to the Security Industry
Authority about what more they can do to encourage the private
security sector to support the national response.
The Home Office has been working with police and fire services to
understand their requirements for Personal Protective Equipment
over the coming months. The National Police Chiefs’ Council has
confirmed that police currently have a good supply and they are
overseeing distribution to forces but the government will
continue to work with them to ensure that emergency service
workers can get the equipment they need, when they need it, in
order to carry out their jobs safely.
Individuals will only be allowed to leave their home for the
following very limited purposes:
- shopping for basic necessities, as infrequently as possible
- one form of exercise a day - for example, a run, walk or
cycle - alone or with members of their household
- any medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable
person
- travelling to and from work, but only where they cannot work
from home
Participating in gatherings of more than two people in public
spaces is also not permitted except in very limited
circumstances, for example, where it is for essential work
purposes.
