Police welcome 'Covid marshal' plan on streets of South Yorkshire

Boris Johnson announced on Wednesday (September 9) that the marshals would support police forces as he set out new laws to restrict gatherings to groups of six.

Until the marshals come into play, South Yorkshire Police are responsible for handing out fixed penalty notices of £100 to those who flout the rules, with more than 300 issued throughout the pandemic.

Assistant Chief Constable Dave Hartley told South Yorkshire Police and Crime Comissioner Dr Alan Billings that the force has not yet received any formal details of the regulations, but will welcome those details when they are distributed by the government.

"I would very much welcome [the details], and it would be a good intervention [Covid marshals], which would be a local authority recourse, and really fill that space. I would look forward to them coming on line," he added.

ACC Hartley told a meeting of the Police and Crime Comissioner's Public Accountability Board that he force would work to "embed COVID marshals alongside policing efforts, effectively to bring the regulations that we need."

"We do anticipate there will be exceptions around work, weddings funerals, team sports, question mark on political gatherings. "

He added that when the force do receive details of the scheme, the legal department will work "immediately" to implement them, "even if this is overnight."

The Government has said ‘Covid-secure marshals’ announced as part of a plan to enforce stricter rules on social gatherings will have no formal powers and must be paid for by local authorities.

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