Fears lockdown "pressure cooker" will "explode" this summer with rise in South Yorkshire crime
Police chiefs are bracing themselves for an increase in demand
Last updated 17th Mar 2021
Police chiefs are worried the "pressure cooker" of lockdown might "explode" in South Yorkshire this summer, as they brace themselves for a rise in crime when restrictions are lifted.
Officers are planning for a big increase in demand as people let off steam in the warmer weather when pubs and bars reopen.
There'll be the added pressure of the Euros starting in May too.
Police and Crime Commissioner Alan Billings tells us it could have big implications for the force and the pandemic:
"The feeling is that people have been in something like a pressure cooker and when you ease the pressure on that there's an explosion - people want to get out, want to mix and mingle and we know that that is not going to help with the spread of the coronavirus so the police are going to be asked to do all sorts of enforcement measures.
"Better weather, football in Europe, a lot of things are likely to come together and make it more likely that there'll be a lot of people mixing and mingling and out and about just at a point time when the government's saying we need to come out of this easily and carefully"
According to the Prime Minister's roadmap out of lockdown, beer gardens are expected to open on 12th April, followed by indoor hospitality on 17th May.
Then all restrictions may be lifted on 21st June.
There are fears crimes like burlaries which have reduced during lockdown will start to rise again when restrictions are eased - along with the added pressure of policing the nightime economy again.
Deputy Chief Constable Mark Roberts said he would like pubs and clubs to reopen gradually.
He told a police meeting:
“Nationally we’re anticipating significant increases in demand and we’re certainly getting ready in terms of staffing and shift patterns.
“I think it would be helpful if it was lifted in a phased manner and we’ll certainly be engaging with local authorities to ensure that.
“We want businesses to get back and start making money and we appreciate their loss but it needs to be done in a structured and sensible way to avoid a really negative impact.”