West Yorkshire Police Federation chair criticises Government's handling of new lockdown restrictions

Last night the Government announced that people in Calderdale will no longer be allowed to meet with people from other households. This includes meeting in each other's homes and gardens or in public spaces like pubs.

Businesses, such as bowling alleys. casinos and ice rinks, will not be allowed to reopen tomorrow. Music Venues and theatres that were planning socially distanced events in August must also stay closed for the time being.

However, PM Boris Johnson has stated that the back to work message from August 1 still stands.

Brian Booth, Chairman of West Yorkshire Police Federation, has criticised the announcement, dubbing it "haphazard."

Mr Booth has also voiced his concerns on how the force will be able to police the new rules.

Mr Booth, said: “Yet again we are struggling to police – and get to grips with - what can only be described as haphazard announcements made by the Government in relation to tighter Covid-19 restrictions. It is an absolute nonsense that we as the police service have not been afforded the time to put things in place prior to an announcement.

“Many people in Kirklees, Calderdale and Bradford will have woken up this morning to the news that they are subject to tighter restrictions on their lives. And it will be up to my colleagues to police these restrictions.

“We must also remember that a lot of the areas subject to lockdown have communities who would have been intending to celebrate Eid and who will now be disappointed by this announcement. And it will be our West Yorkshire Police colleagues who will now be on the front line of having to manage the situation and stop separate households from meeting each other at their homes.

“We are still in the midst of a global pandemic, so we would ask the public to work with us on adhering to these new restrictions and remember we all need to pull together to keep people safe.”