“There will be many people thinking about whether they should head out tonight to support the hospitality sector before it closes,” Deputy Assistant Commissioner Twist said.
(Picture: Getty Images)Londoners were today warned not to flout the coronavirus laws by going out to party tonight ahead of the start of the new lockdown.
The Metropolitan Police’s Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said that “immediate enforcement action” will be taken if any “dangerous” attempts to break the rules banning gatherings take place.
He said police would also support council officials in tackling any bars, pubs or other businesses that broke the rules.
But he emphasised that he expected the vast majority of Londoners to comply with the law and that the capital’s population had so far responded “brilliantly” since the pandemic began.
“There will be many people thinking about whether they should head out tonight to support the hospitality sector before it closes,” Deputy Assistant Commissioner Twist said.
“It is hugely important that people who are going out, stick to the current regulations and do not see tonight as an excuse for other gatherings or parties that are illegal, and could ultimately put other people’s lives at risk.
“We are ready and prepared to take enforcement action against those who are deliberately breaching rules and putting people at risk.”
He added: “The Met will continue to use the ‘4 Es’ approach of engaging, explaining the regulations, encouraging people to following them and only enforcing as a last resort.
“However, immediate enforcement action will be taken in those cases where deliberate, dangerous and flagrant attempts have been made to ignore the regulations.”
