Leicestershire’s Chief Constable reassures people across Harborough – we are prepared

Leicestershire’s top cop has reassured people across Harborough – we are prepared.

Chief Constable Simon Cole put out the message as he encouraged the public to stay safe and follow the government’s official advice during the coronavirus crisis.

Saying he was “proud” of his officers, Mr Cole said: “These are unprecedented times, but we are prepared.

“There are well-rehearsed plans in place to deal with a pandemic - and we are working very closely with our partners across the force and the region.”

The county’s senior police officer added: “We are all thinking of our loved ones at this time and how we can help keep them – and ourselves – safe.

“We must all work together for the greater good of us all across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR).

“The response across LLR to the outbreak is being led by our health colleagues and they are doing an amazing job in the face of an ever-changing picture and growing pressure on them and their resources.”

Mr Cole said frontline officers were continuing to respond to 999 emergencies and to battle crime.

“I am immensely proud of the response from my officers and staff, who, in the face of a fast-moving and developing situation, are committed to doing their duty and protecting the public.

“We will be there to respond to emergency 999 calls.

“We will continue to assess what to prioritise as the impact of coronavirus on local communities, and on our own officers and staff, develops,” he said.

“We have a plan that reacts to events and helps us to apply common sense judgements.

“We may need to scale back some community engagement events to enable us to deal with more critical emerging issues and we may need to respond differently to minor anti-social behaviour.

“We will keep you informed of any changes we are making when we make them.

“For instance, some beat surgeries have already been postponed to meet the guidance about social distancing.”

Mr Cole urged people to contact police online as much as possible at https://www.leics.police.uk/

“We are asking you to limit your visits to police stations – and to not go at all if you have any concerning symptoms.

“By keeping yourself safe – self-isolating if necessary – and taking precautions over hygiene and cleanliness, you can help protect the more vulnerable, and those colleagues of mine who are committed to be out in public, fighting crime and protecting the public,” insisted Mr Cole.

“So how can you help?

“It would be hugely helpful if you could read the Public Health England guidance on social distancing which is here https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-list-of-guidance

“For information from the force, please follow our social media pages – @leicspolice on Twitter and Leicestershire Police on Facebook.

“Sign up for Neighbourhood Link for your area to get relevant and useful messages; I’m signed up for my area - https://www.neighbourhoodlink.co.uk/

“Please also feel free to say ‘thank you’ to my officers and staff as you see them out and about.

“They are a remarkable bunch who are getting on with policing in remarkable times. “I am very proud of them.”

Meanwhile, Rick Taylor, Leicestershire Chief Fire and Rescue Officer, said: “We want to assure communities that we are taking the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic very seriously.

“We have been working closely with our partners in the emergency services and local authorities.

“We continue to monitor the latest government advice to ensure we can continue to provide the service that our community deserve and expect.

“We are doing this because we need to protect our frontline staff and prioritise responding to incidents.”

He stressed: “We would like to reassure everyone that we are still here for you, should you need us in an emergency.

“Call us on 999 and crews will respond as normal.

“For safety advice and other information I would urge you to visit our website or follow us via social media on Facebook and Twitter.”