Wiltshire Police Get Extra Cash to Crack Down on Curfew Chaos
Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson has welcomed new funding aimed at easing the pressure on officers policing COVID-19 curfew rules. The cash boost comes as forces battle surging demand and enforcement headaches.
Local Authorities to Take on Tough Licensing Role
Macpherson explained: “Up until now, police have had to juggle these extra duties alongside high service demand. The new funds for local councils should help them handle licensing more effectively, cutting the need for officers to police the 10pm curfew directly.”
This means cops can focus more on tackling anti-social behaviour and breaking up illegal large gatherings – notorious rule-breakers as the rules stand.
COVID Marshals to Patrol Hotspots
Both Macpherson and the Chief Constable have talked about using the money to hire COVID marshals. These marshals will patrol high-traffic areas like town centres and parks, taking some of the strain off police.
“The Chief Constable has already assigned PCSOs to engage directly with the public on COVID regulations,” Macpherson added.
More Money, But No Extra Officers
While the funding helps, Macpherson made it clear this isn’t a magic bullet for boosting police numbers:
- It could pay for overtime shifts.
- But recruiting new officers is not on the cards right now.
- They must be careful not to overwork the already stretched force.
In short, the funding offers some breathing space but the police are still battling high demand with limited resources.
