Why 'one size policing' won't work during the lockdown, according to a North East police boss

Forces across the UK have made different interpretations of new rules to try and limit the spread of COVID-19, including potentially unlimited fines, since they were unveiled by the government, and have now been issued with new guidance.

While some forces have faced criticism for heavy handed tactics, Steve White, County Durham and Darlington’s acting Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner (PCVC), thinks officers need to develop tailored methods of enforcing rules in different locations, even within force areas.

“One of the reasons we have 43 police forces across the UK is because there isn’t a one size fits all approach to policing,” he said.

“We cannot have different laws in different parts of England or for different forces and I’m not advocating that, but having the legislation doesn’t mean it has to be enacted at every opportunity and that is why a local approach is appropriate.”

He said very different policing was needed for urban and rural areas, for example.

White, previously the PCVC’s chief executive, was appointed to the top job on a temporary basis after incumbent, the late Ron Hogg, stepped down due to illness.

New government guidelines allow officers to arrest or fine anyone suspected of breaching social-distancing rules.

Fixed penalty notices start at £60 but can be doubled for repeat offenders, while magistrates can impose unlimited charges.

But White, a former chairman of policemen’s union the Police Federation, hopes the powers will be a ‘last resort’.

“We’re taking a pragmatic approach to people calling in, we’re examining what the legislation says and implementing an approach that is intelligent and proportionate,” he added.

“I’m confident we’re taking the right approach, we’re starting this at this level because it is likely to go on for some time and, as people become more frustrated, we may have to think again about our approach.

“But by starting at a low level it gives the constabulary somewhere to go to, should things need to go up a level.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you