Demand on police 'back to pre-Covid levels' as forces in Yorkshire battle to ensure new rule of six is followed

Demands on police have returned to the same levels as before the Covid-19 pandemic, a chief has said as pleas were issued from forces for adherence to the new 'rule of six'.
Demand on police is back to pre-Covid levels as forces battle to ensure the new 'rule of six' is adhered to. Officers pictured in Leeds city centreDemand on police is back to pre-Covid levels as forces battle to ensure the new 'rule of six' is adhered to. Officers pictured in Leeds city centre
Demand on police is back to pre-Covid levels as forces battle to ensure the new 'rule of six' is adhered to. Officers pictured in Leeds city centre

Martin Hewitt, Chair of the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC), said it was "crucially important" people abide by new restrictions coming into effect from today (Monday) capping social gatherings to a maximum of six people.

Crime levels have been steadily rising back to what they were before the lockdown earlier this year, and with it has the demand on police forces who have the added strain of ensuring the public are not flouting rules to keep infection levels down.

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Mr Hewitt said: “Preventing the spread of coronavirus is a shared effort and police are playing our part alongside government, businesses, hospitality owners, local authorities and others.

A police officer in Harrogate town centre as forces battle to ensure the new 'rule of six' is adhered toA police officer in Harrogate town centre as forces battle to ensure the new 'rule of six' is adhered to
A police officer in Harrogate town centre as forces battle to ensure the new 'rule of six' is adhered to

“Officers are in their communities following our approach to engage, explain and encourage people to follow the rules. We will issue fines when people refuse to comply.

“The demands on the police service are now at similar levels to before the pandemic, which makes it crucially important that we all take personal responsibility, stick to the limits and prevent the spread of this deadly virus.”

It comes as a local senior police official urged people to "take responsibility" for themselves amidst rising Covid levels, with the Yorkshire & the Humber infection rate reportedly the highest in the country.Chief Inspector Charlotte Bloxham, silver lead for the North Yorkshire Police Covid-19 response, said: "It’s important that everyone takes personal responsibility to ensure that they adhere to the guidance around not meeting in groups larger than six people, both indoors and outdoors and remembers the ‘hands, face, space’ advice."

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The force warned people to avoid large social gatherings ahead of the first day the new rules came into place.

Demand on police is back to pre-Covid levels as forces battle to ensure the new 'rule of six' is adhered to: officers pictured in Leeds city centre Dan Rowlands/SWNSDemand on police is back to pre-Covid levels as forces battle to ensure the new 'rule of six' is adhered to: officers pictured in Leeds city centre Dan Rowlands/SWNS
Demand on police is back to pre-Covid levels as forces battle to ensure the new 'rule of six' is adhered to: officers pictured in Leeds city centre Dan Rowlands/SWNS

She added “Unlike earlier this year when the nation was in full lockdown, demand for our services is now back up to pre-Covid levels.

"However, we will continue to follow our usual approach of engaging, explaining and encouraging people to act responsibly and only resorting to enforcement when absolutely necessary."

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