Leicestershire’s top police officer tells people to stay at home as he warned - this is life and death

Leicestershire’s top police officer has told people to stay at home as he warned - this is life and death.

Chief Constable Simon Cole issued his dramatic warning to people across Harborough and throughout the county as the Government locks down the UK.

Urging all of us to fight the coronavirus together, Mr Cole said: “I’d urge you and those that you care about to follow the Public Health England guidance.

“Across recent days we have been really impressed by how much people have complied with the #StayHomeSaveLives campaign.

“That is crucial if we are to give our colleagues in the NHS a chance to fight back against coronavirus.

“This really is life and death.

“Is your journey essential?

“Do you really need to bulk buy?”

We have seen legislation changed rapidly.

Leicestershire’s top cop said officers were stunned to find local pubs still open after being told to close at the weekend.

“By 2pm on Saturday we had been given powers to shut down pubs and clubs flouting the call from health experts to shut.

“To my astonishment a few pubs decided to stay open and had to be advised that was foolish,” said Mr Cole.

“We are also working with partners across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to deal with the various aspects of the COVID-19 crisis.

“We have well thought-out plans, including one for pandemics, which are now being utilised.

“With councils, the NHS, the military, volunteer groups and the other blue light services we are working on how to ensure that we support vulnerable people, enforce the law and take pressure off NHS staff.”

The county’s police chief admitted that the “coronavirus is a huge challenge” but stressed they had a “strong partnership” to tackle it.

“We will be out and about being visible in your communities, although we have already moved away from our normal schedule of beat surgeries for what I am sure you would recognise as understandable reasons.

We have plans in place to ensure that we prioritise the new challenges of coronavirus,” said Mr Cole.

“You can help us by reporting non-emergency matters to us online via www.leicspolice.co.uk

“That frees up our call handling teams to deal with urgent 999 calls.

“Please only call 999 in an emergency.

“You will also find it useful to follow us on social media, on Twitter and Facebook, and sign up for Neighbourhood Link.”

He said he was “proud” of how his force had stepped up to this “massive test” while warning that “none of us is immune from the impacts of the illness”.

“Despite that Team Leicestershire has been going about its business with huge effort, energy, initiative and commitment.

“I could not be more proud of the whole team,” said Mr Cole.

“Please don’t forget to thank them for what they are doing.

“And please don’t forget that your own personal behaviours every day now make a difference and can save lives.

“Together we can come through this but we will only achieve that if we work together as communities across the entire force area.”