Police urge Britons to spill the beans on neighbours suspected of breaching coronavirus lockdown with telephone ‘hotline’ and online ‘snoopers’ forum
- Police are encouraging Britons to snitch on suspected lockdown rule-breakers
- Forces have set up portals where neighbours can report alleged violations
- Hotlines set up by Humberside, West Midlands, and Greater Manchester Police
- Portals have been made following an increase in number of 101 calls to police
- Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
Police chiefs are encouraging Britons to snitch on neighbours suspected of breaching Boris Johnson’s draconian coronavirus lockdown.
Humberside Police have created a ‘hotline’ where people can submit tip-offs if they flout social distancing rules, including gatherings of more than two people.
West Midlands, Greater Manchester, and Avon and Somerset have also established online forums for ‘snoopers’ keen to punish rule-breakers.
The portals have been made in response to an increase in the number of calls to the non-emergency 101 number since Britain was plunged into lockdown.
Snoopers who intend on reporting their neighbours in the Humberside area, for instance, are being asked to fill out an online form.
Police chiefs are encouraging Britons to snitch on neighbours suspected of breaching Boris Johnson’s draconian coronavirus lockdown (stock photo)
Police officers speak to a man sitting down in Princess Gardens in the centre of Manchester
They will be asked if their report concerns rule-breaking by an individual, group, or business, on what street, and at what date and time – by the minute.
It comes as police forces across the country face charges of ‘overzealousness’ from ex-MPs, lawyers, and human-rights groups this week.
Amid confusion over the Government’s rules, made available by the National Police Chiefs’ Council, forces have taken matters into their own hands.
Derbyshire and Lincolnshire Police came under fire for using drones to track and spy on alleged rule-breakers – in some cases, those walking their dogs.
Police officer in a vehicle speaks to a man resting on the grass in Greenwich Park in London
Avon and Somerset Police officers chat to a dog walker in a park in Bristol, where they are patrolling and enforcing the coronavirus lockdown rules
Big Brother Watch called the tactics ‘sinister’. Liberty called the emergency laws ‘without doubt the biggest restriction on our individual and collective freedoms in a generation’.
Humberside’s Head of the Force Control Room, Chris Philpott said: ‘We are aware there will be individuals who choose not to adhere and understandably, people do want to report this type of behaviour to us as it is risking lives.
‘The online portal has been developed precisely for reports of this nature, where groups have been seen gathered, and has a dedicated team who will receive the report as soon as it is made.
‘Reports will be assessed based on the information provided and we would ask people to please consider the circumstance before making their report.
‘For instance, if a couple and two children are seen in the park, it’s highly likely they are all from the same household and are taking the opportunity for their one form of exercise of the day, which under the guidance is allowed.
‘However, if there is a group of 10 people of the same age gathered in a car park, it’s more likely they are not from the same household.’
Humberside Police said: ‘We will not be able to deploy officers to every single report of social gatherings that contradict the Government’s advice and dependent on the information within the report will determine our response.
‘Responses or outcomes will not be provided to those who submit a report, as would be the case calling 101, but rest assured it will have been received and action taken where appropriate.
‘Everyone is pulling together during these unprecedented times and our thanks go out to all of our residents across the Humberside Force area who are following the Government’s advice to do the right thing in order to protect the NHS, which in turn will save lives.
‘Please help us in continuing to provide you with a policing service and protecting you by reporting these incidents online and keeping the non-emergency 101 number free for us to deal with all other incidents.