Cops will turn back drivers fleeing Leicester’s lockdown to make sure locals are complying with the city’s new rules
POLICE in Leicester will carry out spot checks and turn back drivers feeling lockdown.
The Times reports minibuses and coaches travelling into surrounding areas, including Nottingham, will also be stopped, and patrols of local areas "stepped up" if necessary.
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Leicester was put into the UK's first local lockdown after a worrying spike saw Public Health England identify 2,987 cases, accounting for ten per cent of all cases in the UK.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said police would enforce the lockdown in “some cases," urging people to stay home as much as possible.
Craig Guildford, chief constable of Nottingham's Biritish Transport Police said he expects “there will be the odd person who does not want to be locked down and fancies a day out in Nottingham," in which case it could be necessary to enforce the lockdown.
However, he added: "We are not anticipating a rise [in travel] of people from Leicester.
"You are still allowed to travel to get to work, but they will be looking for a breach of the guidance such as going shopping or going on a night out.”
Notts cops also said they will fine Leicester locals who travel to Nottingham's pubs and shops £100 - as the city braces itself for 'Super Saturday'.
It is understood cops will not patrol train stations and road checkpoints, but will instead act if they have reason to believe people are breaking the rules.
The Times reports blanket roadblocks were considered "impractical and too resource intensive".
However, cops in Leicester also said they were still waiting for crucial information last night, with Dave Stokes, chairman of the Leicestershire Police Federation saying it's "essential" forces are filled in soon - or the lockdown will be "impossible to police."
Lord Bach, the area’s elected police and crime commissioner, added cops were being “drip-fed” information.
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He said: "Amazingly we were not even provided with a map of the area until well after the announcement. That has now been issued, but, unfortunately, we received minimal guidance regarding practical implementation at the time the measures were imposed.
“I have a great deal of sympathy with the agencies charged with delivery. They needed clarity from the start, and I am astonished that it is being drip-fed as the day progresses.”
Mr Stokes added: "We have seen examples from across the country that ‘common sense’ is impossible to police.”
