Police doing difficult job in enforcing Covid-19 restrictions, but public support will help - The Yorkshire Post says

Police have been given an unenviably challenging task in enforcing the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.
Police detain a person during an anti-lockdown protest in Clapham Common, London.Police detain a person during an anti-lockdown protest in Clapham Common, London.
Police detain a person during an anti-lockdown protest in Clapham Common, London.

One the one hand, they must crack down hard on those who wilfully transgress the rules, putting both themselves and others at risk of catching the virus.

On the other, they must not be seen to be unduly zealous towards members of the public who may unwittingly have broken restrictions when they leave their homes to exercise or go shopping for essential supplies.

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Britain has a long and proud tradition of policing by consent, which has resulted in a public attitude towards officers characterised by trust, respect and even affection. Nowhere else in the world is there such a close bond between citizens and police.

That closeness is the key to effective policing of the lockdown. Police chiefs have been right to emphasise engagement with the public should be the first step in dealing with transgressions, with enforcement in the form of fines being kept as a sanction for those who refuse to follow rules that are in place for the benefit of everybody.

Both the Home Secretary, Priti Patel, and Health Secretary Matt Hancock yesterday backed police after unease was expressed that some officers – not in Yorkshire – had seemed too heavy-handed in fining people out for a walk or sitting on a seafront bench.

Ministers are right to give wholehearted support to the police, but the public are perfectly justified in asking if the correct balance is being struck between engagement and enforcement.

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After all, there is a world of difference between two women taking a socially-distanced walk at a beauty spot and organisers of illegal gatherings such as raves deliberately flouting rules. The police are doing a difficult job, but it will be made all the easier if they take public support with them.