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Coronavirus: Senior officer warns police over lockdown tactics after 'over-zealous' claims
Assistant commissioner Neil Basu also urges the public not to judge officers too harshly in their policing of the UK's lockdown.
David Mercer
News reporter @DavidMercerSky
Tuesday 31 March 2020 08:25, UK
The Transport Secretary said he was 'sure there were individual examples' where it looks like the police may have taken wrong approach in dealing with people.
Why you can trust Sky News
One of UK's most senior police officers has warned forces that their handling of the coronavirus crisis will be remembered for generations to come after some were accused of overreaching their powers.
But Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner Neil Basu also urged the British public not to judge officers too harshly in their policing of the UK's COVID-19 lockdown measures.
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Britons breaking coronavirus lockdown rules can be arrested or fined £60 under new police powers to ensure people stay at home and avoid non-essential travel.
Image:Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said 'policing by consent is our mantra'
But there have been claims of "over-zealous" policing after one force said it was prosecuting people for activities including driving "due to boredom" and "going to the shops" with other members of the same household.
Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Mr Basu acknowledged forces were being compelled to use powers he "never imagined a British police officer would be asked to use".
"Everyone in policing is acutely aware that how we police this pandemic will be remembered for many years to come," he said.
"Preserving the trust and confidence of the public by policing by consent is our mantra, and has been since 1829.
More from Covid-19
Image:A police officer talks to cyclists in London's Richmond Park
"There will be a period of readjustment to our new responsibilities, which no police officer ever thought they would have.
"Not every police response will be surefooted and some will spark healthy debate. We should not judge too harshly."
Coronavirus lockdown in the UK: A guide to what you can (and can't) do
Mr Basu urged officers to heed calls by two of Britain's most senior officers, Metropolitan Police commissioner Dame Cressida Dick and Martin Hewitt, chairman of the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC), that "persuasion and education to do the right thing is our primary goal", rather than being too quick to impose punishments.
Mr Hewitt has written to police chiefs across forces in England and Wales about the need for greater consistency in applying the emergency powers, according to the Guardian.
Assistant commissioner Neil Basu also urges the public not to judge officers too harshly in their policing of the UK's lockdown.
David Mercer
News reporter @DavidMercerSky
Tuesday 31 March 2020 08:25, UK
The Transport Secretary said he was 'sure there were individual examples' where it looks like the police may have taken wrong approach in dealing with people.
Why you can trust Sky News
One of UK's most senior police officers has warned forces that their handling of the coronavirus crisis will be remembered for generations to come after some were accused of overreaching their powers.
But Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner Neil Basu also urged the British public not to judge officers too harshly in their policing of the UK's COVID-19 lockdown measures.
Sponsored link
Britons breaking coronavirus lockdown rules can be arrested or fined £60 under new police powers to ensure people stay at home and avoid non-essential travel.
Image:Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said 'policing by consent is our mantra'
But there have been claims of "over-zealous" policing after one force said it was prosecuting people for activities including driving "due to boredom" and "going to the shops" with other members of the same household.
Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Mr Basu acknowledged forces were being compelled to use powers he "never imagined a British police officer would be asked to use".
"Everyone in policing is acutely aware that how we police this pandemic will be remembered for many years to come," he said.
"Preserving the trust and confidence of the public by policing by consent is our mantra, and has been since 1829.
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Image:A police officer talks to cyclists in London's Richmond Park
"There will be a period of readjustment to our new responsibilities, which no police officer ever thought they would have.
"Not every police response will be surefooted and some will spark healthy debate. We should not judge too harshly."
Coronavirus lockdown in the UK: A guide to what you can (and can't) do
Mr Basu urged officers to heed calls by two of Britain's most senior officers, Metropolitan Police commissioner Dame Cressida Dick and Martin Hewitt, chairman of the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC), that "persuasion and education to do the right thing is our primary goal", rather than being too quick to impose punishments.
Mr Hewitt has written to police chiefs across forces in England and Wales about the need for greater consistency in applying the emergency powers, according to the Guardian.