GMP launches webpage to report Covid-19 lockdown breaches

Police vehicles

A dedicated webpage to report breaches of Covid-19 measures has been launched by Greater Manchester Police.

The webpage has been created to report potential breaches of social distancing, staying at home and businesses or venues which are open which should not be.

Unless essential travel is required, households should continue to follow the government’s advice and guidance to remain at home and help to minimise the risk of spreading coronavirus.

Government guidance advises people to not travel unnecessarily and stay local to your home, whilst only going outside with members of your own household, and gatherings of more than two people (excluding families) in parks and public spaces have been banned.

Whilst there are exceptions to the closures, businesses and venues that breach government guidance will be subject to prohibition notices, and fixed penalties.

If prohibition notices are not followed, or fixed penalty notices not paid, this may result in business owners being taken to court with magistrates able to impose potentially unlimited fines.

A statement on the website says: “If you're concerned about a business or venue that's open and you don't think it should be, please check the guidance on this first. 

“We're seeking to resolve situations where people appear to be or are contravening the government advice on physical social distancing and the stay at home measures without resorting to enforcement and issuing fines. 

“Please only tell us about something if you feel there is a significant issue or breach which you think we need to know about.”

Guidance on businesses and venues can be found here:

• www.gmp.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/c19/coronavirus-covid-19/business-and-venue-closures/

The dedicated webpage can be found at:

• www.gmp.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/c19/tell-us-about-possible-breach-coronavirus-measures/