Superintendent Neil Holyoak

POLICE chiefs say they are waiting to be told how to exactly enforce new coronavirus lockdown rules as restrictions on movement were eased.

The government’s revised limits on outdoor exercise mean people in the same household can now travel to locations irrespective of distance, while activities such as sunbathing are allowed.

And meeting one other person from another household outdoors at two metres’ distance is also permitted, but gathering in larger groups is still banned.

Asked if police officers are confused about the new rules, Superintendent Neil Holyoak, the Covid commander in Islington, said: “Understandably, if I sent officers out right now to something specifically related to Covid, there would probably be a bit of confusion about what they can or can’t do because we’re still waiting for guidance from the NPCC [National Police Chiefs’ Council]. It’s not just police, all of society is in the same boat.

“We won’t be giving tickets out until we understand the legislation. We’ve had no complaints from the public for the way we’ve handled the lockdown so far, and we want to keep policing by consent and not undermine our relationship with the public.”

The new changes came as Prime Minister Boris Johnson switched from a “stay at home” message to a “stay alert” slogan.

Islington borough commander Raj Kohli 

Islington Council leader Richard Watts said he was “genuinely confused” about the government’s new message.

“It sounded like a messy compromise between health and economic demands,” he said.

“Health should always come first. My advice, if in doubt, is still stay home, save lives.”

Police officers have been told to engage, explain and encourage people to go home.

Islington borough commander Raj Kohli said: “The guidance is still clear in so much as you still can’t do certain things, and if we stop somebody and they are genuinely confused, then we will explain it to them.

“But people seen deliberately breaking the rules, such as having house parties or meeting five or six friends in the park, will still be dealt with.”

He added: “Covid is still here and killing people and we will still need to do everything we can to keep the reproduction rate of the virus down, while tackling crime. We still really depend on the public to be responsible for their own health as well as the health of others.”