Northern Ireland

Police 'have powers to enter property to enforce Covid laws'

PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd says police can enter property to enforce covid laws.
PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd says police can enter property to enforce covid laws. PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd says police can enter property to enforce covid laws.

ASSISTANT Chief Constable Alan Todd has said police do have powers of entry to enforce covid regulations, as he revealed168 fines were issued to members of the public over the weekend.

An order for people to stay at home became legally enforceable on January 8. It was previously only contained in guidance.

Last week chair of the Police Federation Mark Lindsay said there was a grey area over powers of entry under Covid legislation for people having house parties and asked for clarification.

This was repeated by former Supreme Court Judge Lord Sumption, who told BBC Five Live that police currently have no power of entry into private property without a warrant.

Stormont Justice Minister Naomi Long refuted that posting on Twitter saying the Coronavirus Act "makes these restrictions public health regulations. The 1967 Public Health Act confers the powers to what is required to enforce public health regs (regulations), including powers of entry".

Speaking to the BBC Nolan Show ACC Todd said "Under the pubic health regulations a designated person, which includes police officers, are authorised to take any action that is necessary to ensure enforcement of the regulations and that included power of entry.

"The vast majority (of fines) continues to be the problems we face with people arranging house parties or gatherings within households," he said.

Mr Todd added that, while it is not for the PSNI to "sculpt the regulations", it is a matter for police to act if people breach them.

Since Friday, only people who cannot work from home are permitted to be out, along with limited exceptions, such as attending medical appointments, shopping for essential items or for exercise.

The PSNI have been conducting a number of road stops, asking drivers if their journey is essential.

ACC Todd said: "The vast majority of those interactions with the public have been really positive.

"The regulations outline the exemptions for when it's a reasonable excuse for you to leave home. We work within that framework and have those conversations with people."

Since the regulations took effect on Friday, the assistant chief constable said 168 fines have been issued with "the majority for house parties or gatherings within households outside of the regulations".

Ten per cent of operational PSNI officers are currently off work because they have either tested positive for Covid-19 or are self-isolating, causing "significant pressure" on the PSNI.

While the ACC said the number of staff self-isolating is mostly due to contact outside the workplace, some have been infected while on duty.

"We have obviously a well practised plan and contingencies around it that mean that we continue to provide a full range of services right across Northern Ireland," he said.