South Yorkshire police chief explains how lockdown rules will be enforced and issues warning over Covid scams

Speaking to The Star, Supt. McCurry said that the focus would be on ‘encouraging’ people to comply with the rules, and that enforcement through fines would only be a last resort if people were showing ‘blatant disregard’ for the rules and the safety of others.

He also issued a warning about the increasingly prevalent scams related to the Covid-19 vaccination programmes, and urged people to be careful with any communication they receive about vaccines.

Supt McCurry said: “From the perspective of the police our position has not changed for this lockdown. We continue to have the same approach as we have had throughout the pandemic. We will be engaging with the public, explaining the rules and encouraging people to follow them.

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“We have got specific officers on duty and these will take an active response to Covid breaches when members of the public report them.

“We also have officers with a number of different functions who can help but we are trying to make sure most of the Covid work is done by our dedicated team. This is made up of officers from the core roll of policing but they have been taken from other places for this team.”

In spite of the extra resources and officers needed to police Covid regulations, Supt McCurry offered reassurance that this would not distract the force from other areas of law enforcement.

“We continue to police and offer our service to the public. We are there for the public and there has been no change in that,” he said.

“We have aimed to be visible in our communities throughout the pandemic.”

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On how the police would approach the enforcement of regulations, he added: “Our stance during lockdowns is to encourage people to comply with the rules. We will only enforce them if there is a blatant disregard for public safety, especially if we see that there is a risk of infection of other people.

“We are all trying to do our part to protect the NHS and help limit the pressure it is under. The role of the police is to make sure the public comply with this.

“What we find is that the perception that somebody is breaking the rules is not always the reality. There are so many exemptions that may apply to any case.

“Sometimes we investigate and find something is not a breach and that is the end of it. Other times we remind people of the guidance, and if it is a blatant breach then we may issue a fine.

“We do get misguided reports. They are not necessarily false, but they can be where a member of the public does not understand the regulations at that point.

“What we say to people is if you feel a breach is happening report it to us and we will investigate. Sometimes it will not be a breach. Other times we will follow it up and take action if necessary.”

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South Yorkshire Police has also issued a warning about the dangers of Covid-19 scams.

Scams have been common all over the nation during the pandemic, including some where elderly people have been tricked into paying for fake vaccination jabs.

Supt McCurry said: “Scams are carried out by people who prey on the vulnerable, and that is what is happening with Covid scams. The scammers are preying on the vulnerable and the anxious. If you receive messages they may look right, but look beyond that and it could be a scam.

“Only your GP surgery will contact about your vaccine, so anything to do with that will come in the same way as your regular correspondence with your local GP.

“Be aware that scams are operating and if you are unsure make sure you check and follow it up and get the necessary advice. Never submit your card details or click on any links unless you are definitely sure they are trusted and safe.”

The Superintendant added that on the whole in South Yorkshire compliance with the rules has been ‘very good’.

He said: “In terms of the main rules, what we are saying to people is unless you are forming part of a support bubble you shouldn’t meet anybody else in your home or garden.

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“You can meet one other person for exercise, but any outdoor meeting like a picnic is not allowed. Like the last lockdown, you can leave your house to go to the shops or the doctors of to help vulnerable people.

“The public expect the police to take action and play its part in stemming the spread of the virus. The new variant is 50-70 per cent more infectious and some of that can be transmitted outdoors.

“The good news is that in South Yorkshire we saw, in general, very good compliance with Tier 3 regulations, and this has continued.

“The number of people on the roads is down from what you would expect at this time of year and generally speaking the public in South Yorkshire continues to do a really good job and play its part in stemming the infection. It is only a small minority of people who are breaking the rules.”

A date for when the country will come out of lockdown has not been set.