Public urged to heed Government advice

24 March 2020

Hertfordshire Police Federation chair Geoff Bardell says the public can ‘play their part’ in the ongoing coronavirus crisis by heeding the latest Government advice and staying at home.

The Prime Minister has announced strict new measures to tackle the spread of the virus. In a televised address to the nation, Boris Johnson said people should leave their homes only under a list of ‘very limited purposes’.

In response, Geoff said: “If people had not appreciated the seriousness of the situation until now then this range of unprecedented range of measures announced by the Prime Minister should bring it home to them. This lockdown of the country will help save lives, support our NHS and protect key workers.

“I would urge everybody to recognise the crisis situation we are in and play their part in helping us at this time.”

He added: “From a policing perspective protecting the public is our priority and, as a Federation, we are doing our utmost to ensure that we can continue to offer members support and advice during these challenging times.”

Meanwhile, John Apter, the national chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, has highlighted a lack of clarity in some of the messages coming from Government and policing bodies on the role of officers in tackling the crisis.

He said: “While accepting this is a fast-changing unprecedented situation, there is confusion over some messaging, not only from certain parts of the national and local government but from within policing itself.

“We want to do the right thing but clarification is needed. We welcome the Home Secretary’s decision that enforcing the closing of pubs, cafés etc is a matter for local authorities and not the police.

“Clearly, if there is a need for police to attend then we will, but ultimately this is a local authority matter and police should not be the first port of call.”

John also revealed a ‘considerable’ number of officers are self-isolating, and strongly re-iterated calls to urgently test police for the virus.

He explained: “This massively impacts our ability to police. If they were tested, we could identify officers who don't have the virus and can go back to policing quickly - it also gives them the reassurance they need.”

The national chair said his priority was the provision of protective equipment for officers which he described as ‘patchwork around the country’.

“I absolutely understand that we are in a time of crisis,” he said. “But it would be wrong of me not to raise these concerns on behalf of front-line police officers who just want to do the job to the best of their ability.”

Under the new lockdown, people must not leave their house except to shop for essentials, as infrequently as possible; exercise outdoors once per day, alone or with household members; receive medical treatment or provide care; and travel to and from work if impossible to work from home.

All non-essential shops will close, as will playgrounds, outdoor gyms, and places of worship, except for funerals.

Police and local authorities will have powers to disperse gatherings, including through fines.