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Policing the Coronavirus rules
With concern that the worst wave of Coronavirus is yet to hit the area, North Devon Council is teaming up with local police officers to step up enforcement of Covid-19 breaches.
The Government is urging local authorities and police forces to use the powers available to crack down on those people who are not social distancing, travelling unnecessarily or continuing to run a business that should be closed.
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Their four pronged approach involves: * Acting on reports of breaches of regulations and virus outbreaks * Using intelligence to identify potential breaches such as the advertising of holiday lets * Inspections of high risk places such as supermarkets, offices and showrooms * Checks on temporary accommodation to ensure vulnerable people are being housed safely
The police will accompany council officers on inspections of holiday homes and extra NDC staff are being diverted into the authority’s Covid enforcement team. The council is also working closely with the Health and Safety Executive, and 340 local businesses have already been approached to check they are Covid Secure.
Council Leader Cllr David Worden says, “The vast majority of local people are abiding by the rules, but there are still a minority who are posing a huge risk to others by not taking the measures that are needed to prevent the spread of this killer virus. We only ever carry out enforcement as a last resort but some people have left us with no choice - so now is the time to step up our efforts to protect the rest of the community.”
“We have invested a considerable amount of time and energy helping to engage, explain and educate - and people have had plenty of time to fully understand the rules,” said Toby Davies,
Exmoor beaver - photo Ben Birchall
PC Charles Northcott and council Neighbourhood Officer Ray Jones, who are part of the joint Covid enforcement team. the Local Policing Area Commander for North and West Devon. “Those who continue to blatantly breach the rules, do so knowingly, and can expect robust formal action.”
Lockdown guidelines are on page 36
