Police urge Milton Keynes residents to follow Covid-19 guidance in strong message to public

Police are urging Milton Keynes communities to continue to abide by the Covid-19 rules and regulations imposed by the government 'to stop the spread of this deadly virus'
By Logan MacLeod
Published 21st Oct 2020, 12:48 BST
Updated 21st Oct 2020, 12:51 BST
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Thames Valley Police (TVP) said the vast majority of people within the region continue to follow the government regulations, but there remain some who are not observing the rules.

Chief Superintendent Rob France, from TVP, said: “It is clear that cases of coronavirus nationally are increasing and action needs to be taken by us all to stop this indiscriminate virus from spreading and leading to the deaths of many more people. As such, it is only right that TVP continues to play a role in stopping the spread.

"Where people are choosing to breach the regulations, there to protect us all and not listening to police officers, we will move more quickly to enforcement by issuing a fine or other enforcement such as dispersal or arrest.

Police have urged residents to follow the Covid-19 guidancePolice have urged residents to follow the Covid-19 guidance
Police have urged residents to follow the Covid-19 guidance
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“It cannot be right that the small number of people deliberately flouting the rules should be able to do so without consequence."

The superintendent said officers will be in the community who will be responding to reports of breaches of the Coronavirus legislation.

He said: “We have increased patrols in areas where transmission is higher, we are working with our partners in local authorities and businesses to make sure the rules are being followed.

“We would ask people to report any breaches of Coronavirus legislation online or through 101 if they do not have online access.

“We will continue to prioritise our response to Coronavirus to where the risk is greatest, but this will be balanced alongside our other duties to protect the public from crime.

“As such, we would ask people to make sure that they know the rules and abide by them so that we can protect our communities and stop cases from increasing in Thames Valley.”

The superintendent said the whole of the Thames Valley area currently sits within the “medium” tier of the government’s new restriction system, and that he is 'hugely grateful' to those who are following the measures.

He said: “Our approach throughout has been to support the public in following the regulations by engaging, explaining and encouraging, and using discretion before enforcement."