Police will receive an extra £30 million for enforcing coronavirus lockdown rules, the Government has said.
The announcement follows talks between the Home Office and senior officers asking for more money to cover Covid-19 restrictions as crime levels rise back to those seen before lockdown.
Last week, chairman of the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) Martin Hewitt said he had asked for more funding for “specific Covid patrolling activity”.
NPCC figures showed that after a 28% drop in crime at the height of lockdown, in the four weeks to August 30 levels were at 3% below those in the same period last year.
The 43 police forces in England and Wales will be granted a share of the £30 million according to the existing police funding formula.
This formula has been criticised in the past as being unfair on forces that cover rural areas.
Local councils will also receive £30 million to fund measures including so-called Covid marshals to make sure rules are being observed.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “The vast majority of the British public has come together, followed the law and helped prevent the spread of this virus.
“But we’ve been clear that, with infections rising, we will not allow a small minority of people to reverse our hard-won progress.
“This extra funding will strengthen the police’s role in enforcing the law and make sure that those who jeopardise public health face the consequences.”
The Home Office has also launched a loss recovery scheme for police forces which have lost out on income including charges for policing sporting fixtures or airport security.
They will be able to reclaim 75p per £1 of the budgeted income lost, after they have themselves absorbed 5% of the losses.
