Police have been given new guidance which provides them with much-needed clear direction on changes to the lockdown restrictions.
The Police Federation of England and Wales has worked with the College of Policing and the National Police Chiefs’ Council to produce the guidelines.
“There were some adjustments to the previous rules when Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the nation last weekend,” says Cambridgeshire Police Federation chair Liz Groom.
“The public can do more things outside now, including certain sports, and they can exercise more often and more freely too. At the same time, the Government wants us to maintain the social distancing that has become part of our lives to prevent further spread of the coronavirus. That presents us with new challenges.
“Policing the county during the COVID-19 outbreak has been all about the Four Es of engage, explain, encourage and enforce. So, it is important our members quickly learn the new guidelines so they can work with the public for the benefit of us all.”
John Apter, national chair of the Police Federation, has stressed the need for clear and unambiguous messages from the Government.
He said: “Police officers across the country are doing an incredibly difficult job in particularly trying circumstances. We have never had to deal with anything like this before, yet my colleagues have stepped up to do all they can to protect and support the public in these unprecedented times.
“We have engaged with people, reassured them and only used enforcement when absolutely necessary.
“Our officers need the continued support of the public – and the media – so they can keep up the amazing work they are doing at this challenging time.”