Responding to today’s announcement by Chief Constable Nick Adderley, that Northamptonshire Police is preparing to up its enforcement activity against those who continue to flout the COVID-19 restrictions in the county, Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Stephen Mold said:

“During this state of emergency, everybody in the community has a role to play in stopping the spread of the virus.  The Chief Constable has taken a very balanced line and asked officers to engage with the public and enforce only when they must.  I understand that three weeks on, some people are frustrated that they don’t feel that everyone is playing by the same rules and I think the Chief’s decision to ask officers to act on those abuses makes sense and is fair.

“These are very difficult times but I have been amazed by the way that most people in Northamptonshire have stayed at home as asked. And I am tremendously proud of the way that Northamptonshire police officers and staff have responded to this situation: the briefings I receive from the Chief Constable give me confidence in the way this situation is being handled.

“I know that that Chief Constable and his team will take a common sense approach to the enforcement of the regulations and will regularly review how this is being put into practice. This is still a very difficult situation for everyone but by continuing to work together and do what we are asked to do by the Government, we will come through.”