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Latest Covid-19 Message from Chief Constable Stephen Watson
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I’m sure we are all suffering a degree of message fatigue at the moment,
so I thought long and hard before adding another message to the many. I
do hope however, at least from the SYP perspective, to provide you with
some clarity amongst the noise that currently surrounds our collective
battle with the dreadful Covid virus. Much of the information currently
emerging speaks to a changing picture; a resurgent infection rate, new
rules and regulations, together with increased fines and penalties. I
hope to provide some clarity as to what you can expect from your police
force in the months ahead and what we expect from the communities we serve.
I have written on a number of occasions about our approach to policing
in relation to Covid. We have used an engage, educate and encourage
approach whilst reserving enforcement as a last resort. This was
entirely appropriate in allowing people time to understand and process
the restrictions. The vast majority of people have put every effort into
adhering to the rules despite the unwelcome nature of the restrictions
on normal family, social and work life. This group, comprising all but a
small minority, will see little change in the policing approach.
We are however entering into new territory and it follows that we will
need to adopt an approach, which is increasingly less tolerant of wilful
non-compliance, as we face down the coming winter months together. I
would venture that it would be surprising indeed to find anybody who by
now was unfamiliar with the basic tenets of mask wearing, maintaining
distances and regular hand washing. The point is, we have all had ample
opportunity to get used to what, some six month ago, was still very new
and alien to our normal way of life. Those choosing now to flout the
rules do so from a misguided and evidently selfish place. With this in
mind, we will incrementally be moving to a position whereby we
reasonably start to place less emphasis on the ‘engage and educate’
elements of our approach as we shift more readily to the ‘encourage and
enforce’ end of the spectrum.
Accordingly, and unless we see what would be a welcome reduction in
those pockets of non-compliance, we can expect to see the use of fixed
penalty notices increase along with action against non-compliant
businesses. I note that only last week Sheffield Council took steps to
close a number of businesses for a breach of regulations. They have my
full support in their endeavours and where their powers do not stretch
far enough, the powers available to the police will be engaged.
We are not aiming to catch people out. Frankly, my officers would be
delighted not to have to prosecute anybody for Covid related offences
during what is a difficult time for our country. We are however duty
bound to uphold the law in a manner which hopefully protects the many
from the irresponsible actions of the few. I want to be absolutely clear
that South Yorkshire Police are properly equipped and resourced to do
what is required to play our part in what is a huge national effort
designed to overcome these difficult times. Contrary to a bit of rather
excited public commentary, I have no intention, nor need, to request any
substantial support from our armed forces, superb though they are. There
is nothing in the regulations that cannot be effectively managed by the
police, local authorities, health bodies and several other agencies who
have been working very well together from the outset.
I know that it is something of a cliché , but we are all in this
together. My officers and staff are a part of the local community too
and our approach is designed to be supportive, constructive and helpful.
In this respect, our approach remains the same. All that I am signalling
is a subtle recalibration in our decision making and operational stance
given the grim picture which so stubbornly prevails at present. To do
otherwise would be quite unfair as it would see us failing to preserve
the gains achieved by the stoicism and behaviours of the substantial
majority. As has been said by those better acquainted with epidemiology
than I, we need to act decisively now if we are to avoid an even more
prolonged period of what is a thoroughly miserable set of circumstances.
As I said at the start of this crisis, we are here for you and will
remain here for you. Our ambitious recruitment plans are still in full
operation and we are now being joined by substantial numbers of
additional officers. These new officers represent a welcome boost to our
ability to do more and to do better in sustaining your trust and
confidence. I wish you and your families all the very best over the
coming months.
*/Message Sent By/*
Corporate Communications12 (Police, Corporate Communications, Sou)
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