How to report Sunderland businesses you think are flouting lockdown laws

Sunderland City Council is stepping up its efforts to keep residents safe during the coronavirus pandemic by launching a new tool to help people report concerns about businesses which flout the lockdown laws.
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Members of the public can log on and make a confidential report. The council will investigate and advise businesses accordingly.

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Where businesses continue to flout restrictions, the council has powers to issue fixed penalty notices and prohibition notices, followed by legal action if necessary.

Sunderland City Council has launched a new service where people can report businesses suspected of flouting lockdown laws.Sunderland City Council has launched a new service where people can report businesses suspected of flouting lockdown laws.
Sunderland City Council has launched a new service where people can report businesses suspected of flouting lockdown laws.

Anyone with concerns about businesses which are still operating when they should be closed, will need to submit details of the business premises, the time of day and the nature of the problem they have witnessed.

The report will be shared with trading standards and environmental health officers.

Councillor Graeme Miller, the leader of Sunderland City Council, said that the council would rely on the city’s residents to be their eyes and ears.

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He added that they would take seriously any reports of businesses not sticking to measures put in place to help prevent the spread of the disease.

He said: “We’re very clear – our priority is to keep people safe, and that relies on everyone doing the right thing and complying with the measures that have been put in place by Government.

“This effort is about saving lives and, while we understand the significant pressure that is putting on many businesses, I’m sure we would all agree the safety and wellbeing of residents and employees in this city is key.

“We are also working hard to support our businesses with the challenges they are facing, and most businesses have clearly shown they understand the measures that are in place must be observed.

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“In the minority of situations where this is not the case, we will take whatever action we need to ensure everyone is safe.”

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