DEVON and Cornwall’s Assistant Police Chief Constable says there’s ’no room for complacency’ as officers continue to clamp down on non-essential journeys.
ACC Glen Mayhew thanked the ’majority’ of people who are adhering to the rules.
Just under 300 fines have now been handed out by Devon and Cornwall Police to people who were breaking coronavirus restrictions issued by the government.
In the 10 days between Good Friday, April 10, and 20 April, 296 fines were issued as a last resort across the region by officers; the vast majority of these were issued to those undertaking non-essential journeys.
’By now, everyone should know what their responsibility is,’ said ACC Mayhew.
’Keep staying at home, try to stay local when exercising and only undertake essential travel. This will help us protect the NHS and ultimately, to save lives.
’There is no room for complacency and we must all keep adhering to the government advice. The majority of people are continuing to play their part in reducing the spread of Covid-19 and to them I say thank you, your role in this should not be underestimated.
’There has been much discussion around the legislation and what it does and doesn’t specifically prohibit.
’It’s important to remember that a key factor is if a person’s actions are reasonable or not, and this is why our officers will continue to have conversations with those they stop and will make individual judgements based on specific circumstances presented to them.’
ACC Mayhew added: ’A very small percentage of those people our officers speak to during police stops result in enforcement.
’The feedback from the vast majority of our communities is that we are currently striking the right balance between engagement and enforcement, and we will continue to strive to deliver a proportionate approach to the legislation.’