New policing powers are now in force

Officers will be engaging, explaining and encouraging members of the public to follow the restrictions

The government has bought in a new health protection bill which contains new powers for the police to help manage the spread of the coronavirus.

These powers give all police officers the power to direct infected people to go and immediately receive treatment or self-isolate at home. They will also support officers in dealing with those who are not complying with the social-distancing restrictions.

In the first instance, officers will be engaging, explaining and encouraging members of the public to follow the restrictions. This will include asking whether an individual is aware of the government request; establish individual circumstances and how quickly someone can comply. Officers will also explain the risks to public health, and to the NHS in line with government guidance and encourage voluntary compliance.

To ensure people stay at home and avoid non-essential travel, if members of the public do not comply the police may:

• instruct them to go home, leave an area or disperse
• ensure parents are taking necessary steps to stop their children breaking these rules
• issue a fixed penalty notice of £60, which will be lowered to £30 if paid within 14 days
• issue a fixed penalty notice of £120 for second time offenders, doubling on each further repeat offence

Individuals who do not pay a fixed penalty notice under the regulations could be taken to court, with magistrates able to impose unlimited fines.

If an individual continues to refuse to comply, they will be acting unlawfully, and the police may arrest them where deemed proportionate and necessary.

Individuals are only allowed to leave their home for the following very limited purposes:

• shopping for basic necessities, as infrequently as possible
• one form of exercise a day - for example, a run, walk or cycle - alone or with members of their household
• any medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person
• travelling to and from work, but only where they cannot work from home

Participating in gatherings of more than two people in public spaces is also not permitted except in very limited circumstances, for example, where it is for essential work purposes.