Our officers are out in force across South Yorkshire, conducting
hi-visibility patrols and speaking to members of our communities about
the new Government instructions put in place to help fight the COVID-19
pandemic. Officers have been busy explaining the measures, the reasons
behind them and what we expect of everyone.
From today, South Yorkshire Police will operate a number of ‘Educational
Road Checkpoints’ across the county. In situ across Barnsley, Doncaster,
Rotherham and Sheffield, the sites are there to determine whether the
journeys being undertaken by drivers are essential. If not, officers are
there to remind people of the Government’s instructions – to stay at
home and do their bit to protect the NHS.
Sharing the reasons behind the new tactic, Superintendent Paul McCurry,
said: “The aim of this is for us to be extremely clear that every single
person in South Yorkshire has a part to play in the fight against
Coronavirus.
“We will stop vehicles and question occupants about their movements; we
need people to understand the gravity of the situation we are dealing
with.
“So many of you are already following the Government’s advice, and I
thank you for listening. However, we are still seeing a small minority
ignore the measures.
“I urge everyone to think about their actions; is the journey you are
about to make absolutely necessary? If you continue to ignore Government
advice, you are having an adverse impact on our NHS and we will take
action.”
As part of our enforcement powers, police can issue a fixed penalty
notice of:
* £60, which will be lowered to £30 if paid within 14 days
* £120 if they break the restrictions a second time, doubling on each
further repeat offence.
Stay at home, save lives.