Police urge public to stick with physical distancing

Deputy Chief Constable Malcolm Graham has asked people to
stick with physical distancing to protect the NHS and save lives as Police
Scotland released further information on use of emergency powers.

DCC Graham, strategic lead for Police Scotland’s coronavirus
response, said: “The people of Scotland have stepped forward during this public
health emergency to do their part to protect the NHS and save lives.

“Community policing has a vital role to play in supporting the physical distancing legal requirement to stay at home, which remains the key intervention that can be made during this period.

“In Scotland, we have been able to maintain a highly visible
presence in our communities as our officers and staff work round the clock to
engage with our fellow citizens, explain these requirements and encourage
people to co-operate with them.

“The message is clear – you should only leave the house for
very limited purposes, for example for basic necessities, such as food and
medicine, for daily exercise, for medical needs or travelling for work which
cannot be done at home.

“Avoid driving as much as possible. Use spaces close to home
for exercise and do not drive for leisure.

“Do not hold house parties with people from outwith your
household.

“As these restrictions persist and the warm weather sustains, people must not be tempted to ignore that message.”

Between Friday, 27 March, and 7am on Thursday, 23 April,
Police Scotland issued just 1,637 fixed penalty notices and made 78 arrests
across the whole of Scotland.

Police Scotland’s structure has allowed the service to take
quick action during this period, including cancelling non-essential training
and redeploying officers from back office functions or areas which have seen a
decrease in demand to maximise resources for local policing divisions and other
critical areas of frontline policing to keep people safe.

DCC Graham said: “In Scotland, we have been able to deploy a
large number of officers into community policing and increased focused patrols
in areas such as parks, beauty spots and town and city centres during this
health emergency.

“This means Police Scotland is likely to be engaging with a
large proportion of people who do not stay at home. The Chief Constable and I
have been clear that everyone – including police officers – must take a common
sense approach.

“If you are out and about, officers may ask you why. Please,
explain your individual circumstances, listen to their instructions and obey
the law. We will, as we have been required to do on a very infrequent basis,
take enforcement action where necessary.

“On the small number of occasions where officers have taken
enforcement action, this has largely been in response to house parties or
public gatherings, while a small minority of irresponsible and selfish people
who repeatedly and wilfully break the law, have now received multiple fixed
penalty notices.”

DCC Graham added: “ The legislation and guidance was
introduced quickly and everyone has had to make changes to their daily habits
and significant sacrifices in their lifestyles.

“For generations, successful policing in Scotland has
relied on the consent of the communities we serve, and I am grateful for the
very high levels of support and co-operation we have seen thus far.

“These are however extraordinary emergency powers which were
introduced quickly and the Chief Constable has commissioned John Scott QC to
lead an independent, external, review our use of them.

“Mr Scott and his group can provide significant value to our
thinking and operational practice. We will engage with them on an ongoing basis
as we keep our values of integrity, fairness, respect and the upholding of
human rights at the centre of all we do.”