Police expected to enforce local lockdown

Gwent Police will enforce local lockdown restrictions in Caerphilly County Borough if people do not follow the new guidance.

Speaking at the Welsh Government’s press briefing on Tuesday, September 8, Health Minister Vaughan Gething confirmed that Gwent Police will be expected to enforce new restrictions where people continue to ignore them.

Mr Gething said that where people witness and report behaviour that breaks the rules – such as house parties – police will be expected to take action.

It is believed that gatherings inside households is the reason there has been a spike in cases of Covid-19 in the borough.

In response to a question from Caerphilly Observer, Mr Gething said: “The fact that Caerphilly has been singled out with the highest rate within Wales, and the second-highest rate in the UK, should be a real wake up call for everybody.

“People who thought coronavirus was no longer a threat should sit up and take notice.

“We have changed the rules because people have been flouting them and there is a real risk of mixing households and community transmission.

“Enforcement is there as a backstop, so the force of the law is now in place to ensure individual households are not mixing.

“The first appeal is not just to people’s common sense but to people’s recognition of the clear and present threat that coronavirus faces and places upon the country.”

Pam Kelly, chief constable of Gwent Police, said: “Our officers will be out in the community, engaging and encouraging everyone to follow social distancing and the new restrictions coming into play.

“Today we will be working to understand the new guidance and regulations and what enforcement action we can take for the few who do not comply with the new restrictions.

“Throughout the pandemic we’ve been working with our local authority partners to ensure that measures are in place to help communities and prevent the spread of Covid-19. This will continue as we respond to the current situation.

“Now more than ever we need to act as a community and follow the new measures.  By working together we can hopefully reverse the increase in numbers over the next few weeks so we are asking everyone to play their part.”

Lockdown restrictions come into force from 6pm on Tuesday, September 8.