Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, has written to the Metropolitan Mayor of Greater Manchester, Mr Andy Burnham, asking him to ‘get tougher to tackle the spike in Covid-19’ with a greater police presence on our streets and on our trams.

Councillor Sykes is, like many of his constituents, getting increasingly annoyed and frustrated at seeing the actions of a ‘selfish few’, who are ‘frequently and flagrantly’ flouting the regulations on social distancing and the requirement to wear face coverings on public transport and in shops and takeaways.

Commenting Councillor Sykes said:  “Individuals acting in this manner are endangering themselves and others around them and may well be aiding the transmission of this deadly illness.  We need to everyone to understand that compliance with the regulations is not only a legal requirement, but also necessary to get this disease under control.  We have had education and most people have understood, but a reckless minority are ignoring the law and now is the time when we need enforcement.  I have asked Mayor Burnham to get tough and ensure we have an effective and active police presence in our communities and on public transport to punish those offenders who will not comply.”

The wording of the letter to the Mayor Andy Burnham, sent 31 July, is as follows:

To the Metropolitan Mayor of Greater Manchester, Mr Andy Burnham

Dear Mayor Burnham,

Re: Enforcement of Covid 19 regulations

I am writing to you in connection with yesterday’s announcement by Health Secretary Matt Hancock MP that new restrictions will be imposed throughout Greater Manchester from today making it illegal for people who do not live together to meet in a private home or garden. 

My concern relates to how these restrictions and other regulations will be legally enforced by officers of the Greater Manchester Police.

The situation regarding enforcement was poor before the recent announcements.

I receive regular complaints from travellers and shoppers that previously-imposed government requirements that anyone travelling by public transport or visiting a shop or take-away wear a face covering are frequently and flagrantly flouted by a very small but significant minority, seemingly without penalty.

The actions of this selfish few not only annoy, and frustrate, the majority of law-abiding residents of Oldham Borough who adhere to the regulations, but they also represent a clear and present danger in public health terms, fostering the likelihood of increased transmission which would, if unchecked, lead to the eventual imposition of a full local lockdown.

The law provides for punishment for such transgressions.  Concerned members of the public, Council officers, shop workers, and drivers and guards on public transport may seek to challenge or check this behaviour, but they cannot impose the force of law and inevitably police officers never seem to be present.

Sometimes an appropriate ‘quiet word’ from a uniformed officer or PCSO could be all it takes.

I believe it is now time for some enforcement so I would like to ask you about your plans to impose a greater police presence on public transport and in our communities as an immediate priority to get tough on these offenders?  The time for a softly, softly approach has gone, we now need to get tougher if we are to really tackle this spike in Covid 19 and avoid further deaths – it really is that simple.

Yours Sincerely,

Howard Sykes