Solicitors will get around unenforceable lockdown laws says West Yorkshire Police federation

West Yorkshire Police Federation's chairman says the coronavirus laws have become 'unenforceable' and that the public will have to be relied upon to police itself.
Lockdown fines have been increased - but are they enforceable?Lockdown fines have been increased - but are they enforceable?
Lockdown fines have been increased - but are they enforceable?

On Sunday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced changes to lockdown regulations which will see garden centres reopen and people encouraged to return to work if they cannot work from home.

The 'stay home, save lives' message was also swapped out for 'stay alert, control the virus', while the fine for flouting lockdown regulations has been increased from £60 to £100.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

West Yorkshire Police Chairman Brian Booth described policing the public through the changes as an 'impossible task and that the new rules are 'effectively unenforceable'.

He said: "My members have been set an impossible task. Last time when the Covid restrictions were brought in we saw the lack of guidance. It took weeks before officers got true guidance showing them how to enforce the difficult rules.

“We’ve now had a relaxation of those rules and an announcement that the fines will increase, but my colleagues have had no guidance. They will be going out doing their policing duties, struggling to get their head around how they enforce this.

“With some of the relaxation of the rules – the unlimited exercise, going back to work – those are two reasons why people could be out and about from their homes.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“99% of our public in West Yorkshire will abide by this and play fair, but there are those people in our society who push the boundaries and try to get my colleagues to enforce the rules when they know that really the lawful excuse exists.”

Brian believes officers in West Yorkshire should continue to go about their job as best they can, with a focus on engaging with the public.

He explained: “My message to the members is carry on doing what you’re doing, go out try and engage with the public because the majority of the public will still listen to you. They will still listen to their local officer.

“But we have to be very careful when we go to enforcement. I can really see issues coming out of this, with people bucking the system. Any solicitor worth their salt will be able to give practical advice to a client around avoiding prosecution.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I think we’ve got to recognise that this is no longer a policing issue. We’ve got to try and keep people safe, we’ve got to try and look after crime and police the streets but you’re asking police officers to do the impossible.”

Brian added: “What I want to see from the guidance is clear, unambiguous rules and procedures that the public understand, can engage with and doesn’t leave my colleagues in a position where they are facing the brunt of trying to enforce half put together systems.

“Last week the Government knew what they were going to do. They were sending out snippets of leaked information, but they should have been engaging with policing and getting these rules in place.

“When that announcement was made officers should have had the rules and know how they’re going to apply them. But we’re getting piecemeal led. This adds to anger from the public against the police and that is simply not acceptable.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

West Yorkshire Police's police dogs Twitter account backed the view, adding: "This is no longer a matter that can be realistically enforced by police.

"We will carry on with dealing with crime & the fear of crime, doing our best to keep you safe but anything Covid related will have to rely on the majority of members of public using common sense #staysafe"

Thank you for reading this story on our website. These are challenging times but the team at the Yorkshire Evening Post need your support more than ever in the weeks ahead.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you. In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you - wherever possible and providing it is safe for you to do so - to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Inevitably falling advertising revenues will start to have an impact on local newspapers and the way we continue to work during this period of uncertainty. So the support of our readers has never been more important as we try to make sure that we keep you connected with the city you live in during this time. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. We need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Our team of trusted reporters are working incredibly hard behind the scenes- from kitchen tables and spare bedrooms - to look at how we can do this and your continued support to the YEP will help to protect its viability in the days and weeks ahead.

For more details on our subscription offers please visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk/YEP, email [email protected] or call us on 0330 4033004

Thank you

Laura Collins

Editor