An update from Surrey and Sussex Police

Dear Parent/Carer,

The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020 ('the Regulations') came into force on 26 March 2020.

These Regulations have been produced in response to the serious and imminent threat to public health which is posed by the spread of Coronavirus. The purpose of these new powers is to save lives by protecting the public and the NHS.

These include powers to direct a person (who has parental responsibility) to ensure a child complies with these key measures.

The Government has been clear that it expects people to do the right thing and the vast majority have done so.

We are asking that adults ensure their children comply with the government request. Please make sure you encourage your young people, to follow the measures.

Stay at home, unless:

• shopping for basic necessities, as infrequently as possible  
• one form of exercise a day-for example, a run, walk or cycle - alone or with members of their household

If they are outside their premises without reasonable excuse, we can:

• direct that person to return to the place where they are living  
• remove that person to the place where they are living and if necessary use reasonable force to do this
• Police will instruct gatherings of three or more people to disperse or direct or remove any person from that gathering to their home.

We will therefore initially engage with your young people, explain the legislation and encourage them to comply with it. We will stress the risk with them to the NHS and public health. However we will enforce the legislation if necessary.

Also normal police powers still apply and can be used where crime is being committed.

Young people will have a lot of questions about what the new legislation is, what powers it gives the police and how those powers will be used. The police national Instagram channel police.uk.insta for young people can help answer some of these questions for them.

Young people are going to find aspects of this lack of freedom particularly challenging. Arguably, without school to attend, they will spend more time online. So there is an increase in the chances they will see something which isn't intended for them or be contacted by someone they don't know. Please be aware of what your child is viewing and who your child is speaking to on-line. For advice for you and your child on how to keep safe online or report concerns please visit the Child Exploitation and Online Protection website.

We understand these are challenging days and the impact these restrictions will have on yourselves and your children. We are therefore so grateful for your support and with reinforcing these rules to your children to keep people safe.

Yours Sincerely,

CC Giles York & CC Gavin Stephens

Category: Covid-19