Police and NHS could feel impact of pubs re-opening

25 June 2020

The police and the NHS could be left picking up the pieces if the re-opening of pubs in England next week leads to drunken disturbances, says the chair of Humberside Police Federation.

And Pete Musgrave says that while he understands people wanting to get back to more normal routines following the three-month lockdown the public needs to remember that there are still restrictions, such as social distancing, in place.

“I fully get that we need to try to emerge from lockdown to boost the economy but that should not be at the expense of those who will be in the front-line, picking up the pieces if drunken behaviour gets out of hand,” he explains.

“For the first couple of months of lockdown, people stood outside their properties to clap the NHS and other front-line workers in recognition of their role in responding to the pandemic. I hope this remains in people’s minds when they get back to the pubs.”

John Apter, national chair of the Police Federation, has also expressed his concerns.

“The announcement of this easing of lockdown has been done in such a way that a head of steam will be gathering between now and 4 July, which could be seen by some as a countdown to party time, which is not accurate and certainly not the message we want to send,” he said.