PCC urges Suffolk to play its part as we enter a second lockdown

Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner is joining Suffolk Constabulary in urging people to play their part as the county enters a second lockdown.

The new measures announced by the government on Saturday are being introduced from tomorrow (Thursday 5 November) to help stop the spread of Covid-19 and will see people required to stay at home, as well as restrictions imposed on gatherings and non-essential businesses closed, including shops, restaurants and bars.

Officers are encouraging people to continue to stick to the rules and maintain social distancing.

Temporary Chief Superintendent Kim Warner said: “We all need to show restraint, discipline and common sense over the coming month – this is a public health emergency where a collective responsibility is needed to respect each other’s concerns.
“It is imperative people comply with the new lockdown measures to prevent the NHS being overwhelmed and to ensure lives are saved. We all need to work together to protect our NHS and other public services, not just the police.
“Police will engage with people sensibly, proportionately, fairly, and using the well-established 4Es approach of engaging, explaining and encouraging. Any enforcement has always been a last resort.
“However, not following the measures put in place to limit the spread of the virus is unacceptable, so we won’t tolerate time wasters who knowingly break the rules. People recklessly ignoring the regulations by organising large gatherings, music events, or holding large parties should expect to receive a fixed penalty notice.
“We continue to keep working closely with our partners to keep Suffolk as safe as possible and despite the pandemic, Suffolk Constabulary remain focussed on our key role – keeping Suffolk people safe and catching criminals.”

Additional information on the new measures can be found on the Government website.