Boris Johnson has promised more police on the streets to tackle coronavirus rule-breakers - and he even hinted the military could be drafted in to help.
The Prime Minister made the announcement during a speech to Parliament on Tuesday afternoon as he unveiled a package of measures designed to arrest soaring rates of coronavirus infection in the country.
The nation was at a 'perilous turning-point', he said, as he outlined new measures requiring more people to wear face coverings as well as a greater restriction on gatherings and increased fines for people and businesses who flout the rules.
It comes as all ten boroughs in Greater Manchester are registering coronavirus infection rates of more than 50 people per 100,000 people in the local population.
Bolton still has the worst infection rate in the country where strict measures, similar to what the PM may set out for England today, are already in place.
Outlined a tougher approach to those who defy the national effort, Mr Johnson told Parliament: "Mr Speaker, these rules, these measures will only work if people comply and there is nothing more frustrating for the vast majority who do comply, the law abiding majority, than the sight of the few brazenly defying the rules.
"So these rules will be enforced by tighter penalties."
He referenced the earlier measure to fine people up to £10,000 for the failure to self-isolate which he said would now be applied to businesses which break the rules.
The penalty for failing to wear a mask when required has been doubled to £200 for a first offence.
He went on: "We will provide the police (and) the local authorities with the extra funding they need, a greater police presence on our streets and the option to draw military support where required to free up the police."
The announcement may well rise eye-brows among senior police officers in Greater Manchester whose officers are already struggling to cope.
