Over 400 Covid-related calls made to Devon and Cornwall Police over Easter weekend
The force says around half were related to concerns around large gatherings
Devon and Cornwall Police have revealed that over 400 Covid-related calls were made to them over the Easter weekend.
The force received 437 in total over the bank holiday weekend, and following review and grading of each incident as they came into the call centre, officers were deployed to attended around a 100 of the calls.
Around half of all calls (214) were relating to concerns around large gatherings, both within private residence and public settings.
In total 343 people have been spoken by officers in regard to Covid regulations, the force also used Section 35 Dispersal Orders at both at Exmouth Seafront and Plymouth Hoe when gatherings turned more challenging; naturally where assaults had taken place arrests were made.
Currently one person in Cornwall received a fine; this was in relation to not self-isolating following international travel as per the guidelines in place.
The force says that this number could rise as there is a delay to this data due to each fixed penalty notice needing to be reviewed prior to being issued.
Although a large number of calls were related to concerns around gatherings, Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Jim Nye says by and large the rule-of-six was adhered to.
He told us that the level of demand over the Easter weekend was at a normal level for a bank holiday.
"People were concerned around mass gatherings and people breaching the rules, yes there were occasions where larger numbers than the rule-of-six were occurring.
"We did see some rowdy behaviour, sadly at time some excess drinking, but that goes as part of the course for a bank holiday, particularly one after a lockdown.
"I think it is fair to say that the beaches were busy, we know there were some incidents around Hayle, I think one of the big things is the amount of litter that was left behind is probably not what we'd want for our communities.
"In terms of disorder there was nothing above or out of the ordinary for us for a bank holiday.
"In some places there were lots of groups of six, which gives the impression that places are overly crowded."
Jim Nye, Temporary Deputy Chief Constable, Devon and Cornwall Police