Police ‘risking their lives’ says Assistant Chief Constable

The Assistant Chief Constable of Cheshire is claiming police officers are risking their lives to protect Cheshire residents from Covid-19 and is urging residents to stick to the rules after a large number of fines were issued in the first month of lockdown.

Since lockdown, which began on 4 January 2021, a total of 685 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) have been issued by Cheshire Constabulary who’s officers have dealt with a range of breaches from gatherings, businesses remaining open when required to close and people being out without reasonable excuse.

Fixed Penalty Notices were issued in:
• Chester  – 118
• Crewe – 126
• Ellesmere Port – 39
• Macclesfield – 60
• Northwich – 24 
• Runcorn – 54
• Warrington – 155
• Widnes – 83
• Motorway – 26

Over the last weekend alone (Friday 5 February to Sunday 7 February) 116 FPNs were issued across the county, of this, 15 FPNs were issued following a party at an address in Alderley Edge – hired through an online booking site.

Police attended on Saturday evening and spoke with a man who claimed everyone inside was from the same household. On entering the house, officers found balloons, party banners and alcohol. It was clear that not everyone in attendance were from the same household and that lockdown restrictions had been breached. Several of the partygoers attempted to hide in cupboards but were eventually found.

Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said: “While the majority of Cheshire residents are abiding to the rules, there are still a minority who are bending and blatantly breaching restrictions which are in place to save lives.

“Officers are risking their own health to protect Cheshire residents from this deadly virus and when they are met by blatant and repeat breaches they will enforce without delay.

“There are many more people in hospital with the virus during this lockdown than at any time during the pandemic. This is why it is so important that people continue to stick to the regulations, we will only get through this health emergency by us all doing the right thing.

“We know that most residents have been incredibly supportive and have assisted our efforts by staying at home and only leaving for the few exemptions outlined by Government. For that, I thank you.”

For further advice and guidance please visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home

To report a coronavirus breach visit https://www.cheshire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/c19/v7/tell-us-about-a-possible-breach-of-coronavirus-covid-19-measures

Editor’s comment:
ilovemacc.com challenges the ACC’s comments regarding police officers “risking their lives.” Doctors, nurses and all health-care workers – working in hospitals or nursing homes, where there is a high risk of catching Covid-19, or other highly infectious viruses, are risking their lives. To claim that police are risking theirs by breaking up an unlawful party is patently absurd and denigrates the work of healthcare professionals who risk their lives each and every day.