Northumbria Police's top officer has sought to reassure the public and called for an increase in "community spirit" in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Chief Constable Winton Keenen shared an open letter to communities in the force's area on Sunday, as the UK death toll from coronavirus hit 281.
He said the force would "play its part" in supporting people during the crisis. And he urged locals to help police prevent the most vulnerable from being exploited.
He wrote: "I am also acutely aware that while times like these bring out the best in our communities, unfortunately there will always be people who look to exploit the vulnerability of others for their own selfish gains.
"We will continue to do our best to protect those who may be targeted in this way, but we can all play a part in doing so – please take care of one another, speak to your family, friends and neighbours and offer support where it is needed.
"Here in the North East we are renowned for our community spirit and we need that now more than ever – we really are so much stronger together."
Seeking to reassure the public about the provision of police during the pandemic, he said the force had "well-established" plans in place, but acknowledged that police officers were likely to fall ill and that this could change the "manner and nature" of the force's service.
He wrote: "There has already been much speculation about the level of service policing will be able to deliver in the face of this pandemic.
"As you would expect, we have well-established, effective and extensive plans for dealing with a range of complex incidents and situations. We continue to adapt them against what, in so many ways, is an unprecedented issue.
"However, as I voiced at the start of this letter, the reality is no-one is immune from Covid-19 – emergency service workers such as the police included. Therefore, it is essential we actively consider the impact the virus could have on us as a force and subsequently the manner and nature of the service we are able to provide."
Non-frontline staff were working from home wherever possible, he said, while community engagement events would be reviewed to prevent encouraging large gatherings.
He added: "The one constant in everything we do, will be our unwavering commitment to ensuring our communities remain as safe as possible. We will be there for you now, as we have been in the past and we will be in the future.
"Our officers and staff will continue to respond to incidents and continue to be in the hearts of our communities, because, not only did we pledge that is what we would do, it is what we want to do – so that we continue to protect and serve in the way you would expect.
"I am constantly reminded, especially at times like these, of the sacrifices officers, staff and volunteers make, so readily, on behalf of others and for that I will remain eternally grateful to them – indeed, I am sure many of you across our communities will feel the same way."
You can read the full text of the letter below:
