Tougher policing of
lockdown rules ‘will
hit public support’
Government instigates a major ramping up of Covid enforcement but the former chief of Durham Police wants its message to remain 'simple'
9 January 2021 • 9:30pm
Three police officers wearing face masks question a man sitting on a bench in St James's Park in central London
Credit: London News Pictures Ltd
Tougher police enforcement of the new lockdown rules will “damage” the public’s support for restrictions because people will believe officers are being overzealous and “unfair”, a former chief constable has warned.
Mike Barton, who used to run Durham Police, urged the Government to keep its message “simple” and avoid repeatedly changing rules so both police and the public were clear what they should do during the nationwide lockdown.