Coronavirus: 'Ban on gatherings will be enforced' says Surrey's police commissioner

Surrey’s police and crime commissioner says enforcing a new law banning gatherings of more than six people will put a strain on police resources.

But he thinks the more rigorous rules are inevitable after a national rise in coronavirus cases – an increase of 2,659 in 24 hours, of which 32 are in Surrey.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said yesterday (September 9) the new law was needed to avoid another lockdown, in his first Downing Street coronavirus briefing since July.

Surrey’s PCC David Munro, elected to set the priorities of the police force, said police would use their powers though he hoped they would not have to.

“As a libertarian I don’t like laws generally,” he said.

“Most people don’t need laws, we should only have them where it’s absolutely necessary.

“It will put a strain on resources but I can see the rationale for it.”

He added: “We don’t want to enforce, we want to be on the community’s side and we recognise that the vast majority want to cooperate, but we all make mistakes and it’s up to the force to correct those mistakes.

“But we don’t want to go hammering in and issuing all sorts of notices. I always say, the style of Surrey Police is to be as nice as they possibly can, but as ‘nasty’ as they have to be.”

When the law comes into force on Monday (September 14) anyone gathering either indoors or outdoors in a group of more than six people can be fined £100, doubling for each repeat offence up to £3,200.

Currently people only face fines for gathering in groups of 30 or more.

Social premises and venues, including pubs and restaurants, will also be legally required to request test and trace information from customers and keep the details for 21 days.

Every Surrey district and borough saw an increase in the number of coronavirus cases yesterday.

Waverley and Elmbridge had the biggest rises with six and five respectively.

This brings the total number of cases in the county up to 5,366.