Coronavirus: Executive could take lead over guidelines on lockdown policing

The News Letter understands that there are some tensions behind the scenes in how to resolve the matter, after the PSNI was widely accused of a heavy-handed approach when enforcing the regulations.

Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd has said that “greater clarity in the regulations would have undoubtedly made our job easier”, and police have asked for other public officials to take on the responsibility.

The Department of Health said the legislation would allow this but it would have to be approved by the five-party Executive.

However, one source close to the Executive has told the News Letter that the PSNI request will not dominate discussion of the problem today; instead the Executive will set its own agenda.

“The PSNI has been a bit heavy-handed in enforcing the lockdown,” the source said. “On Friday the Executive will consider draft guidance on the matter for publication, but it will not be published unless there is consensus among the parties.”

The attorney general and the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) have been involved in private talks and it is understood there is momentum for the legislation to be amended in line with PSNI wishes.

However, the Executive source rejected that approach. “The Executive will be primarily focusing on what guidelines it can give on this issue,” he said. He added there was some concern in the Executive that amending the legislation could appear like a public admission that the Executive had been to blame for flawed police enforce enforcement.

Belfast City Council said it would action any enforcement powers delegated to it. However, it is understood it has not been approached about doing so.

But TUV leader Jim Allister suggested Sinn Fein would not be keen on taking responsibility for enforcement in nationalist-dominated councils, but would rather be more insulated from any controversial decisions.

The Executive Office said discussions around responsibility for the enforcement of the regulations are ongoing.

Policing Board members Mervyn Storey of the DUP and Dolores Kelly of the SDLP both agreed that policing the lockdown represents a significant strain on stretched PSNI resources.

Mr Storey said: “It could be viable to delegate some enforcement authority to environmental health officers, park rangers and town centre wardens.”

However, he imagined Sinn Fein and the Alliance Party may be opposed to relaxing the role of police.

Mrs Kelly suggested retraining other officials who issue fixed penalty notices, but that this would have to be strictly overseen. “We need to consider every option,” she said.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Ireland and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Alistair Bushe

Editor