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15
Oct 2020
Police consider 'covid cars' as part of enforcement
North Yorkshire Police may introduce “covid cars” to respond to complaints about breaches of coronavirus rules.
Julia Mulligan, North Yorkshire police, fire and crime commissioner, said today the move was being considered after her office received £291,897 from the government last week for covid enforcement.
The proposal would see police officers assigned specifically to respond to complaints from the public, such as licenced premises breaking coronavirus restrictions.
Ms Mulligan told a meeting of the police, fire and crime panel that other plans being considered included greater use of overtime and additional patrols in covid hot spots.
Read more:
- Harrogate Borough Council gets £58,000 for covid enforcement
- No face mask fines, but police pledge to tackle Covid breaches
The force will submit final proposals to the Home Office as part of the funding allocation.
Mrs Mulligan said covid cars would respond to calls from members of the public around covid concerns, particularly about licensing regime and problem premises.
She said:
It comes as Superintendent Mike Walker, gold commander for police response to covid, said the force had seen demand return to pre-covid levels.
North Yorkshire Police has issued the highest amount of fines for breaches of coronavirus rules. But the force has not handed out any fines for face masks or breaches of the rule of six,
Under coronavirus legislation, police have the power to issue £60 fixed penalty notices to anyone breaching restrictions. The sum is reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days.
Superintendent Walker told North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum yesterday:
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