Coronavirus diary, Wednesday 13 May

The policeman's lot

'A policeman's lot is not a happy one' sing the dancing boys in blue in Gilbert and Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance, and it's certainly true these days. Forces throughout Britain have borne the brunt of enforcing the government's stringent Stay at Home order. Despite the change to StayAlert - in England only - they are still struggling. From the onset they told the government the lockdown was unenforceable. 

Bank holiday beach questions. Photo: PA

The chairman of the Police Federation said they were doing their best but their work had to be based on crystal clear guidance not loose rules open to different interpretations. 
A chief constable described the situation as a shambles, another, totally unacceptable. During the bank holiday week-end thousands ignored the rule, flocking to the seaside.

Police forces in England are dealing dealing with their thankless  job in different ways, the carrot or stick. London's Metropolitan Police have been the most lenient, giving advice not penalties while the draconian attitude of some forces has antagonised the public.

The Welsh forces have also been sparing with on the spot £60 fines, issuing 299 in a month. The South Wales force chief said they preferred to advise and encourage people to stick to the rules. 

The latest announcement by the Prime Minister relaxing the lockdown in England, letting people drive or walk any distance and go out when they want, subject to safe distancing, has created further confusion for police and public.With the devolved countries maintaining their strict Stay at Home order, people cannot cross the borders. Asked if Wales would close its border with England, the Welsh Government Minister of Health  said, surprisingly he did not know if they had the power. 

It would be surprising if people in north west England could not resist the temptation to slip over the border to the lovely north Wales resorts - a reminder of the days when drinkers in 'dry Wales' did the same on Sundays. 

While struggling to enforce the safe distance and no gatherings rules under Stay Alert, the police still have their every day job, fighting crime. Not surprisingly, the criminals are not as busy these days. Very little shoplifting and violent crime down by a third. 

One enterprising gang found facemasks useful...