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Coronavirus: What powers do the police have? Coronavirus: What powers do the police have?
(about 2 hours later)
Police have been told to be "consistent" when applying measures introduced to stop the spread of coronavirus.Police have been told to be "consistent" when applying measures introduced to stop the spread of coronavirus.
It follows criticism that some forces have gone too far when trying to ensure people follow the rules.It follows criticism that some forces have gone too far when trying to ensure people follow the rules.
What powers do police have?What powers do police have?
Police have wide-ranging powers to help fight coronavirus, by enforcing social distancing measures designed to keep people apart.Police have wide-ranging powers to help fight coronavirus, by enforcing social distancing measures designed to keep people apart.
The three key tools they have been given are:The three key tools they have been given are:
But there is an enormous gap between what the government would like people to do and the actual limits of the law restricting movements. The restrictions came into force as a "statutory instrument", which means it was created by ministers in each part of the UK with no debate or vote before it became law. But there is an enormous gap between what the government would like people to do and the actual limits of the law restricting movements. The restrictions came into force as a "statutory instrument", which means it was created by ministers, in each part of the UK, with no debate or vote before it became law.
The rules are broadly the same across the UK, but each country has its own regulations:The rules are broadly the same across the UK, but each country has its own regulations:
Individual police officers have enormous discretion and there will be differences in what they decide. That has led to accusations that some are being overzealous. Individual police officers have enormous discretion and there will be differences in what they decide to do. That has led to accusations that some are being overzealous.
What punishments can police enforce?What punishments can police enforce?
A police officer can order a non-essential business to close while coronavirus regulations are in place.A police officer can order a non-essential business to close while coronavirus regulations are in place.
Police can also enforce the two key social distancing rules, which ban:Police can also enforce the two key social distancing rules, which ban:
If someone refuses to follow the regulations - for instance a request to go home - officers can give them an on-the-spot fine of £60, reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days. If they keep breaking the law, more fines can be given - up to a maximum of £960.If someone refuses to follow the regulations - for instance a request to go home - officers can give them an on-the-spot fine of £60, reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days. If they keep breaking the law, more fines can be given - up to a maximum of £960.
Police could ultimately charge someone with the more serious criminal offence of breaching coronavirus regulations and a direction to follow them. This could lead to a conviction in a magistrates court and an unlimited fine.Police could ultimately charge someone with the more serious criminal offence of breaching coronavirus regulations and a direction to follow them. This could lead to a conviction in a magistrates court and an unlimited fine.
What is a reasonable excuse to leave home?What is a reasonable excuse to leave home?
A "reasonable excuse" which would avoid a fine includes:A "reasonable excuse" which would avoid a fine includes:
Police can't order you home if you're out helping someone else with their care, off to the doctor, or carrying out another public service.Police can't order you home if you're out helping someone else with their care, off to the doctor, or carrying out another public service.
Most importantly, it is not a crime to leave your home to flee harm - for example, domestic abuse. It is important to note that it is not a crime to leave your home to flee harm - for example, domestic abuse.
How is this different to what the government wants?How is this different to what the government wants?
This is where the problems start.This is where the problems start.
There could be "reasonable excuses" that the government has not thought of.There could be "reasonable excuses" that the government has not thought of.
And the government's instructions to the public for preventing the spread of coronavirus go far further than the laws police have to enforce them.And the government's instructions to the public for preventing the spread of coronavirus go far further than the laws police have to enforce them.
Take exercise. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "People will only be allowed to leave their home for... one form of exercise a day".Take exercise. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "People will only be allowed to leave their home for... one form of exercise a day".
That sounds like a clear legal order - and the science behind it may be very clear, particularly in cities. That sounded like a clear legal order - and the science behind it may be very clear, particularly in crowded cities.
But his government has not made that the law in England - and the position is the same in Scotland and Northern Ireland. However, in Wales, which sets its own health regulations, exercising more than once a day is now against the law. But that's not the law. There is no legal ban on exercising more than once a day in England, Scotland or Northern Ireland. However, in Wales, which sets its own health regulations, exercising more than once a day is now illegal - and potentially a criminal offence.
What about travelling to exercise? The College of Policing has now told officers in official guidance: "Use your judgement and common sense. For example, people will want to exercise locally and may need to travel to do so, we don't want the public sanctioned for travelling a reasonable distance to exercise."
What's a reasonable distance? That's not defined for the officers who are now expected to enforce it.
The law is also vague if you're self-employed.The law is also vague if you're self-employed.
You have a reasonable excuse to be away from home if it is not possible to work there. But a police officer could decide your work is not essential and order you home. You have a reasonable excuse to be away from home but a police officer could decide your work is not essential and order you home.
It has left many people confused, with Nottingham Police revealing its switchboard was jammed by callers asking for advice.It has left many people confused, with Nottingham Police revealing its switchboard was jammed by callers asking for advice.
Have police misused the powers?Have police misused the powers?
Derbyshire Police has taken the most flak by following Peak District walkers with a drone.Derbyshire Police has taken the most flak by following Peak District walkers with a drone.
Former Supreme Court Justice Lord Sumption says the force went too far, but its chief constable says the drone operation was aimed to prevent the national park being over-run, increasing the likelihood of contagion.Former Supreme Court Justice Lord Sumption says the force went too far, but its chief constable says the drone operation was aimed to prevent the national park being over-run, increasing the likelihood of contagion.
Last week, people were told to go to "local" beauty spots, if they want to go walking, while observing social distancing. But the law doesn't require walking to be local - nor does it ban you from driving to the countryside to go walking.Last week, people were told to go to "local" beauty spots, if they want to go walking, while observing social distancing. But the law doesn't require walking to be local - nor does it ban you from driving to the countryside to go walking.
Cheshire Police says it has summonsed someone to court for going out for a drive because they were "bored".Cheshire Police says it has summonsed someone to court for going out for a drive because they were "bored".
But the law says nothing about going for a drive - only about going out without a "reasonable excuse". Is driving to relieve the boredom of being stuck inside a reasonable excuse?
So is relieving the boredom of being stuck inside a reasonable excuse? We won't know unless that's tested in court by someone who challenges a fine.
We won't know unless that's tested in court by someone who refuses to pay a fine - or appeals it. While the Coronavirus law says nothing specifically about going for a drive, police do, of course, have a general power to stop vehicles and enter property.
So a constable can pull you over and ask why you're out - and if you don't have a "reasonable excuse", you could be committing an offence.
That said, the official guidance to police forces doesn't rule out road blocks if a force thinks they are necessary. It just warns that checking all vehicles would be "disproportionate".
What are police now being asked to do?What are police now being asked to do?
Officers are now being told to follow to follow the "Four Es":Officers are now being told to follow to follow the "Four Es":
The National Police Chiefs Council has urged people to use their common sense - by thinking about whether they should leave home. And it wants officers to exercise their discretion by focusing on the law's aim and purpose.The National Police Chiefs Council has urged people to use their common sense - by thinking about whether they should leave home. And it wants officers to exercise their discretion by focusing on the law's aim and purpose.