POLICE are appealing to residents to stick to the new lockdown rules in a bid to help reduce the spread of coronavirus.
They say only a minority of people are flouting the rules – but their appeal comes after a weekend in which, according to local residents, parts of Warrington were “invaded” by large numbers of people from outside the borough.
Lymm Dam and Appleton Dingle in particular were said to crowded with hundreds of people. Car parks were full and cars were parked along local roads.
The national lockdown was put in place last Thursday (November 5) when residents were told to stay at home when possible.
Households are also not to mix with anyone outside their household/bubble indoors or in private outdoor spaces such as gardens.
However people can still meet with one other person outside their household/bubble in a public open space such as a park or countryside – provided they do not travel outside their own area.
Non-essential shops, leisure and entertainment venues must also now stay closed.
The new measures are to stay in place for four weeks until Wednesday December 2 when they will be reviewed by the government.
Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said: “We have now been living with coronavirus restrictions in some form for a number of months and know that everyone has had to make sacrifices this year in a bid to save lives.
“The new lockdown restrictions are in place to keep us all safe.
“Despite this there are still a minority of people who are continuing to flout the rules.
“Now more than ever we must work together to help drive down the spread of the virus to help protect the NHS.
“In order to do this, we must all act responsibly and follow the restrictions which have been put in place.
“Our officers will continue to engage with the public in a fair manner, explain the restrictions that are in place and encourage people to do the right thing.
“However when there is blatant and repeat breaking of the rules, we will have no choice but to enforce in a bid to protect the wider public.”
Warrington-based Police and Crime Commissioner David Keane said: “During the course of the coronavirus crisis, it has been heart-warming to see the residents of Cheshire work to help reduce the spread of the virus.
“As we are entering a new lockdown, I know that the community spirit that we saw over the first few months of the Spring lockdown will continue.
“The rules are in place to protect our families and the NHS, please follow them and together we can help save lives.”
For more information on the new lockdown measures, visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november
Anyone wanting to report a breach of the coronavirus legislation is urged to do so online via https://www.cheshire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/c19/tell-us-about-possible-breach-coronavirus-measures/
