Lancashire Police pledge to ramp up patrols to enforce lockdown

Police patrols are being ramped up across Lancashire to help enforce the national lockdown restrictions.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The force has pledged to have a "very visible policing presence" and says it will stop and question those found on the streets and roads without a "reasonable excuse".

Lancashire Police has said more of its officers will be on the beat and proactively enforcing the restrictions by asking people what they are doing or where they are going.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The warning comes after the force dealt with more than 360 reported breaches last weekend, with more than 100 fines handed out.

Last year, the county's constabulary issued the fourth highest number of Covid fines of England's 43 police forces with 1,506 fixed penalty notices issued in 2020Last year, the county's constabulary issued the fourth highest number of Covid fines of England's 43 police forces with 1,506 fixed penalty notices issued in 2020
Last year, the county's constabulary issued the fourth highest number of Covid fines of England's 43 police forces with 1,506 fixed penalty notices issued in 2020

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: "We'll have a very visible policing presence across the county during this lockdown, especially at night.

"If you're a key worker or have another reasonable excuse for being out, please don’t be offended if we stop to talk to you – our officers are just doing their job and it's right for them to be inquisitive.

"The vast majority of interactions we have are really positive and supportive and we want to thank the majority of the public who are doing all they can to limit the spread.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"The restrictions also mean that those intent on criminal behaviour become very visible to us and we’ll be out targeting them, looking to make arrests and keep people safe.

The force has pledged to have a "very visible policing presence" and says it will stop and question those found on the streets and roads without a "reasonable excuse"The force has pledged to have a "very visible policing presence" and says it will stop and question those found on the streets and roads without a "reasonable excuse"
The force has pledged to have a "very visible policing presence" and says it will stop and question those found on the streets and roads without a "reasonable excuse"

"We're proud of the county’s response, all the way from March 2020, but we need to make sure we persevere and people follow the rules."

In Preston, the force said it will be increasing patrols at the docks after residents complained about breaches of social distancing guidelines and large gatherings.

Lancashire Police has said it will regularly patrol the area and will question visitors and disperse those groups found to be flouting the Government's advice to stay at home.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Last year, the county's constabulary issued the fourth highest number of Covid fines of England's 43 police forces.

Lancashire Police has said more of its officers will be on the beat and proactively enforcing the restrictions by asking people what they are doing or where they are goingLancashire Police has said more of its officers will be on the beat and proactively enforcing the restrictions by asking people what they are doing or where they are going
Lancashire Police has said more of its officers will be on the beat and proactively enforcing the restrictions by asking people what they are doing or where they are going

Data published by the National Police Chiefs Council shows a total of 1,506 fixed penalty notices (FPNs) were issued by Lancashire Police between March 27 and December 20.

But much of the Lancashire public has called for even firmer action from the force as coronavirus cases continue to surge and the county's hospitals become increasingly stretched with high numbers of new patients.

Last weekend, deputy chief constable Terry Woods shared his frustration at the "hundreds" of reports of lockdown breaches that his officers responded to. These included reports of a gym operating in Preston, house parties and a number of pubs breaching regulations.

Read More
Lancashire pubs and gym named by police after weekend lockdown breaches
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He warned those who "deliberately flout and disregard the law" to expect to have enforcement action taken against them "very quickly", including being fined.

He said: "The Coronavirus pandemic is reaching a critical stage in Lancashire, with rates rising rapidly everywhere and some boroughs approaching or well above 700 weekly cases per 100,000 people.

"The lockdown rules are in place to save lives and stop the NHS being overwhelmed. Nurses and doctors across Lancashire are already under huge pressure and we all have to follow the regulations to help them.

"We know how tough it is right now and that many people are exhausted but we’re confident though that the vast majority of people will take personal responsibility and do the right thing by sticking to both the law and the associated advice/guidance.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"We’ll continue to take a common sense and proportionate approach as we have since the pandemic started. We’ve done our best to help people follow the rules and show compassion for those in difficulty whilst also enforcing the law where the public would rightly expect us to

"We will carry on engaging with people and being balanced but where people deliberately flout and disregard the law they can expect to have enforcement action taken against them very quickly, including being fined.

"Restrictions on social mixing remain in force and we are really clear that large gatherings, house parties and events which break the law must not take place – they have the highest risk of harm and we will take immediate action against them."