Coronavirus ‘Rule of six’ snitches swamp police 101 line forcing extra staff to man the phones
‘RULE of six’ snitches are swamping the police 101 line forcing extra staff to man phones.
Senior officers say that Brits are racing to tell on each other for even the most minor transgressions.
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Police are also concerned that people are using the non-emergency line after harbouring grudges against their neighbours, the Times reports.
It comes after health secretary Matt Hancock encouraged Brits to snitch on anyone they think is breaking the rules.
However, Boris Johnson has said neighbours should not call the cops unless they were worried about big parties.
Under the rule of six members of the public cannot meet up in groups of more than six outdoors, in their homes or in pubs and restaurants.
Those who break the law face a £100 on-the-spot penalty, with fines of up to £3,200 for repeat offenders.
A senior police officer said: “There are discussions about how the 101 system can cope, and whether increased resources need to be looked at across the board.
We don’t want a situation where people calling about Covid-19 breaches are blocking others from getting through about other serious crimes.
“We don’t want a situation where people calling about Covid-19 breaches are blocking others from getting through about other serious crimes.”
The new covid-19 guidelines have also caused problems with confused Brits ringing up police to get advice.
Last week Gwent police said its 101 line had been inundated with calls.
Chief Superintendent Mark Hobrough said: “We’re very much trying to point people to the Welsh government and Public Health Wales sites for up-to-date advice and answers to frequently asked questions. It will help us deal with policing demands rather than be tied up in other ways.”
VIOLENT CRIME SURGE
Staff being tied up with non-emergency calls are concerning police bosses as crime returns to pre-lockdown levels.
Stats dropped sharply between March and April but the number of violent offences has now reached the highest in a decade.
One officer told the Times: “Volume crime is unfortunately the thing that will have to give. That’s a worry because when the economy takes a nosedive, acquisitive crime goes up.
“You won’t see dedicated police Covid patrols, there isn’t the resource. However, officers will step up checks on people and issue fines while they are doing other things.”
The police staffing concerns comes as Boris Johnson considers whether the rule of six could be lifted on Christmas Day so families can celebrate together.
Ministers want the “rule of six” suspending so people can meet in larger groups to tuck into their festive turkey.
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The PM is considering the move as a “sweetener” when to soften the blow when he announces new restrictions.
An insider told The Sun on Sunday: “The PM is anxious to avoid being portrayed as Scrooge.
“He’s fully aware that millions of people are making big sacrifices to defeat this virus and is considering ways to allow them to experience the joy of Christmas for at last part of the holiday season.”
