Fines and arrests should be 'last resort,' says North East police boss

Fines and other measures to enforce Coronavirus restrictions should be a ‘last resort’, according to a former police union chief.
By James Harrison
Published 2nd Apr 2020, 12:45 BST
Updated 3rd Apr 2020, 07:54 BST
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The Government unveiled a raft of new powers in March to try and halt the spread of Covid-19, including the authority to arrest anyone not complying with the rules.

But Steve White, the Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner (PCVC) for County Durham and Darlington, hopes Durham Constabulary won’t have to take too much action during the virus outbreak.

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New guidance has now been issued on how police should operate during the lockdown.

Police at a vehicle checkpoint in York where officers from North Yorkshire Police were ensuring that motorists and their passengers are complying with government restrictions in March. New guidance, issued by the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) and the College of Policing on Tuesday night states road checks on every vehicle are "disproportionate".Police at a vehicle checkpoint in York where officers from North Yorkshire Police were ensuring that motorists and their passengers are complying with government restrictions in March. New guidance, issued by the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) and the College of Policing on Tuesday night states road checks on every vehicle are "disproportionate".
Police at a vehicle checkpoint in York where officers from North Yorkshire Police were ensuring that motorists and their passengers are complying with government restrictions in March. New guidance, issued by the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) and the College of Policing on Tuesday night states road checks on every vehicle are "disproportionate".

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“Enforcement is something of last resort – legislation and laws are there to act as a deterrent,” he said.

“There will always be exceptions to the rule, but there may also be some people who cannot be persuaded, in which case we need to back the police with legislation.

“For fixed penalty notices we have to get the hardware and software to put that in place and we’re still working on how we will apply this new system, which will take a bit of time.

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“But to an extent that is ok, this is about the police and the public adapting to a new normal.

“But it is my sincere hope that enforcement in County Durham and Darlington will be a last resort and I hope it won’t be used very much at all because I hope there won’t be a need.”

White was made PCVC chief executive in 2018, but last year was appointed acting PCVC after incumbent Ron Hogg was forced to step down due to ill health.

Hogg, who became Durham and Darlington’s first PCVC in 2012, died in October aged 68 after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.

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White added: “We’ve got to give a certain level of flexibility to people to live their lives within the guidance, without the fear of being stopped by the police.

“Having said that, if the police have intelligence or suspicions that there is a clear breach of the legislation then we need to act to make sure people know we can do that.

“But the most effective way we police in our society is to do it by force of persuasion, not legislation.”