Counter-terror chief Neil Basu warns police against 'overzealous'
enforcement of virus lockdown despite forces being told to adopt
'consistent' approach and keep an open-mind when handling public
Officers have patrolled the country looking to interrupt up picnics and parties to halt spread of coronavirus
Heavy-handed approach of some forces attracted criticism from ex-Supreme Court judge Lord Sumption
Last week the National Police Chiefs' Council told forces to require a 'consistent' approach to enforcement
Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and will you see a doctor?
One of Britain's most senior police chiefs has warned his colleagues against 'overzealous' enforcement of the coronavirus lockdown, because it emerged officers got guidance four days ago about adopting a 'consistent' approach to handling the general public .
Scotland Yard anti-terror chief Neil Basu demanded officers maintain British tradition of 'policing by consent' and said their conduct would be remembered for generations after they were accused of abusing their powers.
Today it also emerged that the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) and therefore the College of Policing had emphasised the importance of professionalism and adopting a 'single style and tone' - but some forces chose a harder option.
The briefing document, leaked to the BBC, said police 'inquisitive, questioning mindset' when chatting with people outside the house, and made it clear punishments like fines and arrests shouldn't be utilized in all cases.
Police have in recent days been accused of being 'overzealous' and pursuing 'over-enforcement' - from banning shops selling Easter eggs to shaming walkers with drones.
Former Supreme Court judge Lord Sumption criticised Derbyshire Police for having 'shamed our policing traditions' with 'frankly disgraceful' efforts of trying to shame people exercising within the countryside.
Police officers from North Yorkshire Police stop motorists in cars to see that their travel is 'essential', following the Government's Covid-19 advice to 'Stay at Home'
+36
Police officers from North Yorkshire Police stop motorists in cars to see that their travel is 'essential', following the Government's Covid-19 advice to 'Stay at Home'
Forces are sending anyone home not getting to work or the supermarket or pharmacy - but there are variety of samples of overzealous enforcement of latest powers handed to them last week
+36
Forces are sending anyone home not getting to work or the supermarket or pharmacy - but there are variety of samples of overzealous enforcement of latest powers handed to them last week
Neil Basu (pictured) has warned police to think about how they conduct themselves while seeking to uphold the Government's coronavirus lockdown guidelines
A shopper buys Easter eggs in Cainscross, Gloucestershire, as council officials and police issue guidance on waht constitutes essential shopping
Officers are warning shopkeepers to not sell Easter eggs heavy-handed enforcement because the lockdown continues and it had been revealed forces are getting to cut arrests and ignore crimes due to the crisis.
Retailers say enforcement officers has trying to prevent them from selling they consider non-essential, including chocolate gifts, albeit there's no official guidance from the govt .
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said within the Government's daily news conference that police should use 'common sense' in applying the principles , but also that the general public should 'follow the guidance, not just to the letter but also to the spirit'.
Assistant Commissioner Basu demanded that officers maintain British policing traditions as he emphasised the importance of earning the trust and confidence of the general public .
Writing within the Daily Telegraph, he said: 'Everyone in policing is acutely aware that how we police this pandemic are going to be remembered for several years to return .'
But he stressed that individual officers should not be judged too harshly as they have been handed unprecedented powers that he never imagined police in UK being asked to use.
Martin Hewitt, chairman of the NPCC said officers were 'learning as they are going along' amid an 'unprecedented situation' and would adjust their approach after identifying the simplest ways to enforce the lockdown.
Meanwhile, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps defended officers and said most had been taking a 'sensible' approach to the crisis.
In recent days:
Lancashire Police issued 123 fines for breaches of the principles over the weekend
Officers in Cheshire summonsed six people for various offences, including multiple people from an equivalent house going bent buy 'non-essent
Officers have patrolled the country looking to interrupt up picnics and parties to halt spread of coronavirus
Heavy-handed approach of some forces attracted criticism from ex-Supreme Court judge Lord Sumption
Last week the National Police Chiefs' Council told forces to require a 'consistent' approach to enforcement
Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and will you see a doctor?
One of Britain's most senior police chiefs has warned his colleagues against 'overzealous' enforcement of the coronavirus lockdown, because it emerged officers got guidance four days ago about adopting a 'consistent' approach to handling the general public .
Scotland Yard anti-terror chief Neil Basu demanded officers maintain British tradition of 'policing by consent' and said their conduct would be remembered for generations after they were accused of abusing their powers.
Today it also emerged that the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) and therefore the College of Policing had emphasised the importance of professionalism and adopting a 'single style and tone' - but some forces chose a harder option.
The briefing document, leaked to the BBC, said police 'inquisitive, questioning mindset' when chatting with people outside the house, and made it clear punishments like fines and arrests shouldn't be utilized in all cases.
Police have in recent days been accused of being 'overzealous' and pursuing 'over-enforcement' - from banning shops selling Easter eggs to shaming walkers with drones.
Former Supreme Court judge Lord Sumption criticised Derbyshire Police for having 'shamed our policing traditions' with 'frankly disgraceful' efforts of trying to shame people exercising within the countryside.
Police officers from North Yorkshire Police stop motorists in cars to see that their travel is 'essential', following the Government's Covid-19 advice to 'Stay at Home'
+36
Police officers from North Yorkshire Police stop motorists in cars to see that their travel is 'essential', following the Government's Covid-19 advice to 'Stay at Home'
Forces are sending anyone home not getting to work or the supermarket or pharmacy - but there are variety of samples of overzealous enforcement of latest powers handed to them last week
+36
Forces are sending anyone home not getting to work or the supermarket or pharmacy - but there are variety of samples of overzealous enforcement of latest powers handed to them last week
Neil Basu (pictured) has warned police to think about how they conduct themselves while seeking to uphold the Government's coronavirus lockdown guidelines
A shopper buys Easter eggs in Cainscross, Gloucestershire, as council officials and police issue guidance on waht constitutes essential shopping
Officers are warning shopkeepers to not sell Easter eggs heavy-handed enforcement because the lockdown continues and it had been revealed forces are getting to cut arrests and ignore crimes due to the crisis.
Retailers say enforcement officers has trying to prevent them from selling they consider non-essential, including chocolate gifts, albeit there's no official guidance from the govt .
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said within the Government's daily news conference that police should use 'common sense' in applying the principles , but also that the general public should 'follow the guidance, not just to the letter but also to the spirit'.
Assistant Commissioner Basu demanded that officers maintain British policing traditions as he emphasised the importance of earning the trust and confidence of the general public .
Writing within the Daily Telegraph, he said: 'Everyone in policing is acutely aware that how we police this pandemic are going to be remembered for several years to return .'
But he stressed that individual officers should not be judged too harshly as they have been handed unprecedented powers that he never imagined police in UK being asked to use.
Martin Hewitt, chairman of the NPCC said officers were 'learning as they are going along' amid an 'unprecedented situation' and would adjust their approach after identifying the simplest ways to enforce the lockdown.
Meanwhile, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps defended officers and said most had been taking a 'sensible' approach to the crisis.
In recent days:
Lancashire Police issued 123 fines for breaches of the principles over the weekend
Officers in Cheshire summonsed six people for various offences, including multiple people from an equivalent house going bent buy 'non-essent
Comments
Post a Comment