South Yorkshire Police officers issue plea to public over new Covid rules

Through the South Yorkshire branch of the Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, they have urged members of the public to ‘do their bit’ and abide by the rules to avoid the emergency services becoming overwhelmed.

From today, households are not allowed to mix with others in any indoor setting, including homes and pubs.

Groups of six can meet outside but must adhere to social distancing measures.

Police Federation chairman, Steve Kent, said: “The restrictions sadly have been expected with the growth rate.

“The enforcement of this is of course the duty of South Yorkshire Police officers and they will continue to do so.

“However normal policing demand is still happening and officers are still extremely busy day in day out.

“This is unlike when there was a national lockdown and some aspects of police work temporarily reduced.

"Officers will, I’m sure, do what they are best at in enforcing the regulations in a common sense and proportionate way, but we need the public to do their bit in abiding with the regulations to ensure that policing and emergency services aren’t under strain dealing with allegations of breaches when on a lot of occasions there can be more serious incidents that need to be dealt with such as domestic violence and serious crime.”

Breaches of Covid rules can be reported to South Yorkshire police using an online form on the force’s website.

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