Fed chair speaks out over illegal gatherings

9 September 2020

The chair of West Midlands Police Federation has told BBC Radio WM that police time spent shutting down illegal gatherings would be better spent targeting criminals.

In an interview with the radio station’s Paul Franks last week, following reports of up to 90 illegal events over the recent Bank Holiday weekend, Jon Nott said he appreciated that lockdown had been difficult but that illegal gatherings were not the way to go.

“We’ve been locked down and shut away and people want to get back but I would urge them to comply with the regulations and only meet in groups in licensed premises rather than at these pop-up or illegal events,” he explained.

“This is something we could really do without at this time. Resources continue to be stretched; there are no extra officers, just those working longer shifts or over-time. So if we are going to use over-time, let’s use it better to target criminals rather than unlicensed events breaching Covid guidelines.”

Two such events attended by West Midlands officers in the early hours of 1 September were in Sandwell and Lozells where coronavirus cases are on the increase. Paul asked if it was time for the police to get tougher on those ignoring the guidelines.

“That is a matter for the Chief Constable. The officers I represent police as they’re directed to and we try to use the four Es and encourage and engage while dispersing people,” said Jon.

“It’s not just the organisers that can be fined but those attending too. It takes up a lot of our time so we urge the organisers not to do it and people not to go to them. I’d like for us not to have to go to any of these because when we go to a gathering, the officers are at risk of catching Covid themselves and taking it back to their families or they may then have to self-isolate which means they can’t be deployed back on normal duties for two weeks.”

The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, David Jamieson, speaking on the same radio programme, said: “These events are irresponsible not just because of the spread of coronavirus but also because they are breeding grounds for crime. Some of them are being organised by drug gangs themselves who are looking to sell drugs to young people.”

West Midlands Police Federation’s deputy chair, John Williams, shared the same views when he was interviewed by BBC Radio Coventry and Warwickshire last Thursday.