Extra funding for coronavirus enforcement

9 October 2020

The Force is being given a £450,000 boost to help fund extra patrols as part of coronavirus enforcement measures.

The Government funding is part of £60 million to be split equally between police forces and local authorities. Hertfordshire Constabulary’s  share of the £30 million is £457,861.

“Naturally, we welcome any additional funding at this time,” says Geoff Bardell, chair of Hertfordshire Police Federation, “I just hope that it is not solely used to fund over-time since we don’t want to see officers worked into the ground, doing extra long shifts or cancelling their rest days as this is just not good for their wellbeing if it goes on for any length of time.

“Even with the recent boost to recruitment, we just don’t have a bank of extra officers we can call upon to do provide the enhanced policing presence needed during the pandemic.

“As ever, police officers will do all they can to encourage people to abide by the coronavirus restrictions but we need the public to do their bit too.”

John Apter, national chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, has also welcomed the extra funding saying any genuine new money which helps ease the current pressure on policing can only be a positive thing.

But he added: “My question is, what is expected in return? Policing is over-stretched and colleagues are already doing all they can during this pandemic. Any suggestion that this extra money would take away the discretion which permits police officers to do their jobs to the best of their ability would be counterproductive and damaging. Alongside this announcement must be an effective public information campaign. This must make it crystal clear what is expected of the public.

“Police officers are already targeting those who wilfully breach Covid-19 regulations and this will continue. The new money will assist policing, but what we really need are more officers and a better communication strategy from the Government.”

The Government announcement said the aim was for police to be more visible to ensure members of the public comply with the restrictions in place to try to halt the spread of coronavirus while councils would get funding and guidance to support compliance and enforcement.

It would, ministers explained, enable police to increase patrols in town centres and ensure that people are complying with the new restrictions, particularly in high-risk areas. The police would also, they said, provide more support to local authorities and NHS Test and Trace to enforce self-isolation requirements.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “The vast majority of the British public has come together, followed the law and helped prevent the spread of this virus.

“But we’ve been clear that, with infections rising, we will not allow a small minority of people to reverse our hard-won progress.

“This extra funding will strengthen the police’s role in enforcing the law and make sure that those who jeopardise public health face the consequences.”

Forces will be required to provide the Home Office with enforcement plans to demonstrate how the money is being used to tackle non-compliance with public health rules.