Police chief constable: ‘Please be responsible during the festive period’

Chief constable Andy Marsh has promised police will not come “crashing through people’s doors” to enforce coronavirus rules over Christmas.

But Avon & Somerset’s top officer has appealed for everyone to observe the regulations to ensure the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions during the festive period can go ahead.

He also urged protesters not to gather ahead of a planned demonstration with more than 1,000 anti-vaxxers expected in Bristol on Saturday, December 12.

Speaking during a Facebook Live with police & crime commissioner Sue Mountstevens on Thursday, December 10, Marsh revealed the force had issued 42 spot fines for Covid-related breaches in the first week since national lockdown ended on December 2 and areas went into tiers two or three.

“It’s a big moment with the rollout of the vaccine but a big moment also because it’s Christmas and we see the relaxation of the measures for a small number of days,” said Marsh. “So the most important thing for me and for the people I work with in the constabulary is that we get through this safely.”

The Government has announced that between December 23 and 27 you are allowed to form a Christmas bubble with up to three households, which can include the elderly and more vulnerable, but any risks taken now could jeopardise that.

Avon & Somerset Police chief constable Andy Marsh and police & crime commissioner Sue Mountstevens during a Facebook Live on December 10. Image: Avon & Somerset Police

The chief constable said: “The important thing about travelling is that your tier sticks with you as an individual. Our role in terms of how we police this is that we’re still very much thinking about the four Es – we’re engaging, encouraging and explaining and as a last resort we are prepared to issue some tickets (enforcing).

“We would rather not issue any tickets, we would rather people complied. We are out there, we have a dedicated operation doing those four Es. We certainly don’t want to be, nor will we be, crashing through people’s doors to enforce these regulations.

“What we would want and expect is for people to take personal responsibility and collective responsibility. We will of course be running our business, our opening hours of 24/7, 365, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, every other day. We would really rather not be dealing with Covid-related enforcement during the festive period, so please be responsible.

“One life lost that’s preventable is too many. There have been far too many lives lost already. Since the increased restrictions in tier three we have seen a really significant drop in the daily infection rates. There is a lag. Our hospitals are still under great pressure.

“We have made great progress, we just need to urge people to continue. They are making a difference.”

Marsh urged people not to attend public demonstrations for now and explained why the police had been dealing with protests more harshly than during the first lockdown.

“Context and law is everything. During the initial lockdown protest was specifically exempted from the very strict restrictions if the organisers conducted a risk assessment and did everything possible to ensure hands, face, space, social distancing at the protests,” he said.

Marsh added: “They absolutely were allowed in the first lockdown. We then saw a very significant change between November 5 and December 2, the second mini-lockdown, when protest was not exempted, and that is why officers of Avon & Somerset took a different line with the handful of protests we saw during that period.

“Since December 2, protest is permitted if the organiser conducts a risk assessment and does everything within their power to protect public health. If they don’t, they are liable to a £10,000 fine.

“We would say please don’t do a protest now, please try to find another way of showing your displeasure at whatever it is you’re protesting about. We know some organisers have heeded our advice and put them off.”

The march through Bristol city centre tomorrow is organised by Covid-denying group Stand Up Bristol.

Adam Postans is a local democracy reporter for Bristol.

Main photo: Qezz Gill

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