Extra police are being drafted in to Harborough to prevent any trouble and stop people from locked down Leicester coming to town as pubs prepare to re-open this weekend

Extra police are being drafted in to Market Harborough to prevent any trouble as pubs prepare to re-open on Saturday.

Operation Integrate is being launched by Leicestershire Police across the county as more officers will be out on patrol than on New Year’s Eve.

Volunteer Special Constabulary cops are also being brought in as the force prepares for pubs and bars re-opening after being closed since March amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Police will also be striving to ensure that people won’t be leaving newly locked down Leicester to drink in pubs in towns like Market Harborough, Kibworth, Broughton Astley and Lutterworth.

The huge law and order exercise is being launched as Cllr Phil King, who leads Harborough District Council, has urged Leicester’s residents to stay in the city.

“The introduction of additional measures by the Government due to a spike in coronavirus cases in the Leicester area means the force will have a dual approach to its operation.

“This will see officers supporting the policing of the lockdown measures in the greater Leicester area and, running in parallel to this, policing the easing of restrictions outside of the restricted area where pubs and restaurants will reopen from July 4,” said Leicestershire Police.

“Operation Integrate will see more officers on duty than for a typical New Year’s Eve to help ensure communities across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland stay safe wherever they live.

“The force is urging people to do all they can to follow the advice of Save Lives, Save Livelihoods, Be Responsible and Socialise Safely.”

Police said people in and around Leicester should stay at home and “only to travel for essential purposes within, into and out of the lockdown area.

“Outside the restricted area the force has been working with community safety partners and the licensing trade to support and facilitate the reopening of premises from Saturday onwards,” said police.

“People are being asked to plan their days and to abide by any new operating rules premises may have in place to support social distancing.

“But the main message is for people to be responsible and socialise safely.”

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Kerry Smith said: “First and foremost we want to keep people safe.

“We are in the middle of a continued public health crisis so that has to be everyone’s top priority.

“We will be working across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, being that highly visible presence and engaging with our communities.”

She stressed: “We realise it is a difficult situation and we are all still adapting to these new challenges.

“We would ask people within the restricted area to follow the Government’s recommendations of staying home as much as possible during this period and only travelling where it is essential.

“Across the rest of the county and Rutland not affected by the additional restrictions if you are planning to venture out to your local pub remember there are still guidelines in place around social distancing.

“Many pubs and restaurants will have instigated procedures to help keep you safe – please respect and follow those procedures.

“We want people to be able to enjoy themselves but to do so responsibly, having respect for others and socialising safely.

“Plan your day and plan how you are going to get home.

“We have a policing operation in place to support all of this across the county and Rutland.

“But we will be continuing our approach of engaging, explaining and encouraging people to do the right thing. “Of course, we have the option of enforcement open to us which we will use where appropriate.”

Special Constables will be working with regular police officers to respond to emergency calls and support communities.

“The training to become a special constable is at the same level of that undertaken by full-time police officers.

“They hold the same powers and responsibilities as regular police officers and manage the role alongside their normal employment,” said police.

The restricted area covers the city of Leicester and outlying suburbs including Oadby, Wigston, Birstall, Thurmaston, Braunstone Town, Glen Parva, Glenfield, Leciester Forest East (East of the M1) and Thorpe Astley.

To check if you live within the area please use a postcode checker created by Leicestershire County Council.

Cllr King is imploring everybody to drink and behave sensibly across Harborough as people look forward to popping out for a pint again for the first time in over three months.

He’s also urging people living inside the Leicester lockdown zone to stay at home and not to travel outside the city in a bid to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

Cllr Phil Knowles, leader of Harborough council’s Liberal Democrats, said: “I’m advising people across Harborough to enjoy the day – but enjoy it safely.

“And as for people in Leicester, stay at home and stay safe.

“Do not travel outside the city and potentially expose other people to the coronavirus – because it’s a killer.”