Police will use lockdown powers

Police will not hesitate to use new powers which are to be brought in to enforce the coronavirus lockdown, Police Scotland's Chief Constable has said.

Under strict new measures announced on Monday, people will only be allowed to leave home for a limited number of reasons, while non-essential shops have been told to close and public gatherings of more than two people are banned.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said that police are to be given powers to fine those who breach the new measures, with the new powers expected to be introduced later in the week.

Police Scotland Chief Constable Iain Livingstone said that in the meantime, officers will rely on people complying with what they are asked to do, but warned people against disobeying the advice.

Under the new measures, people are only allowed to leave home to shop for basic necessities, to take exercise once a day, for medical reasons, to care for a vulnerable person, or to travel to essential work that cannot be done at home.

Mr Livingstone said police are maintaining operations despite an increase in staff absences during the pandemic.

Some officers have been redeployed from where they are no longer needed at airports, while they could also consider boosting numbers by deploying new recruits early after core training, or bringing back special constables.

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• coronavirus