CORONAVIRUS: Greater penalties needed to deter ‘lockdown rebels’, says Lincolnshire PCC

Lincolnshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner fears fines will not deter the most “hardcore” determined people from breaching lockdown, however, said he was confident Lincolnshire would be “largely compliant.”
By Daniel Jaines, Local Democracy Reporter
Published 24th Mar 2020, 14:38 BST
PCC Marc JonesPCC Marc Jones
PCC Marc Jones

Marc Jones said more legislation and prosecution needed to be in place to tackle those undeterred by the fines, but added that he did not want to see police cells filled with people “being utterly stupid.”

Mr Jones told Local Democracy Reporter Daniel Jaines he was reassured the force could handle the lockdown announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in line with its planning.

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Officers will initially be giving advice and guidance, however, legislation due out on Thursday is set to give police extra powers, including fining people who breach the lockdown between £30-£1,000.

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“I would like to think that in Lincolnshire we’re not going to need to be issuing people with fines – however, there’s always going to be that hardcore element.

“If we have got to the point they’re ignoring advice and having officers issue fines… I don’t think £30 fine is going to put them off.”

However, he warned: “We’ve got to maintain policing by consent… we don’t want to have ruined that relationship with the public when this all ends.

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“I don’t think policing like they do in Lombardy is the best starting point for our society.”

Mr Jones was confident the initial impact of the lockdown would be manageable but recognised the situation was “only going to get worse over the coming weeks.”