A statement from Chairman Mark Andrews regarding Covid-19

17 March 2020

“Covid-19 is one of the most significant challenges of our policing generation - but it is a challenge our police officers will rise to in order to support the communities they serve”

A message from Mark Andrews, Chairman of Wiltshire Police Federation, as the nation continues to tackle the outbreak of the coronavirus.

Mark said: “These are tough times for the country. We are an emergency service and there is no working from home for the majority of our police officers as the public need to have access to us - and we will continue to protect them in line with the Police Attestation sworn by every constable at the start of their career. 

“All I would ask from the public is to consider, as they have been asked to do with the NHS, if the issue they are facing needs an emergency response or police involvement at all?

“If the police are needed and it is not an emergency there are various ways of contacting us including 101 and via our website, using these options will reduce some of the burden on our front line staff. 

“The main question should be: are the police actually the best organisation to assist you or would the matter be more effectively handled by another, such as the council? 

“But we want to reassure people. We are not going anywhere. You can continue to rely on us when you are in need.”

Mark concluded: “I personally would like to thank the officers of Wiltshire Police and all of our friends and colleagues across the emergency services for their tireless efforts and hard work battling the consequences of this virus.

“Covid-19 is one of the most significant challenges of our policing generation - but it is a challenge our police officers will rise to in order to support the communities they serve.”