Covid restrictions add ‘another level of complexity’ to policing

16 October 2020

Travel restrictions between Wales and coronavirus hotspots elsewhere in the UK will be difficult for officers to enforce, a leading member of the Police Federation has warned.

Mark Bleasdale, the Federation’s Welsh lead, said proposals to introduce new regulations will add “another level of complexity” to the policing of the pandemic.

And he appealed to the public to be understanding and supportive of officers as they try to protect them and ensure current restrictions are adhered to.

His comments came after Mark Drakeford, the First Minister, announced plans were in place to introduce restrictions that would prevent people from areas in the UK with a high number of coronavirus cases to come to low prevalence areas of Wales.

Mark told ITV News: “It would seem it’s very difficult to enforce for front-line police officers working across Wales when this comes into force.”

Mark said it would be difficult for officers to identify where people are coming from and where they are travelling to.

He added: “There will also be plenty of individuals travelling legitimately from areas which are not high risk, and this will only add to the other difficulties officers face when policing the existing regulations.

“Some areas of Wales are already in lockdown, and many individuals are already unable to travel in and out of counties unless they have good reason. In other locations, provisions are more relaxed, so this proposed travel ban adds yet another level of complexity to policing.

“We would ask members of the public to continue to be supportive and realise this is an extremely challenging period for front-line officers.

“Policing in Wales is already over-stretched due to the pandemic and because crime rates have returned to pre-Covid-19 levels.

“However, my colleagues will continue to do their utmost to protect the public in their usual professional manner.”