A POLICE boss has warned that patrols will be increased in high-risk areas following the Government's coronavirus crack down.

Martin Hewitt, chairman of the National Police Chiefs' Council, was speaking after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced new measures to tackle a second wave of COVID-19.

Mr Hewitt, added that officers will continue to issue fines only as a last resort. He said: "The rise in the spread of the virus should concern us all, and it should be everyone’s priority to drive these numbers down. The country is at a critical point, and personal choices will matter in the weeks and months to come.

“Individuals, businesses and households all have a responsibility to ensure the virus is suppressed, and police will play their part in supporting the public to navigate the measures in place for our safety.Police will continue to work with their communities and only issue fines as a last resort, however the time for encouraging those who knowingly flout the rules with no sense of guilt about the risks they are presenting has passed. Chiefs will be stepping up patrols in high risk areas and will proactively work with businesses, licensing authorities and local authorities to ensure the rules are being followed. Forces will also continue to respond to crime in the normal way, assessed against the greatest risk of harm.

“If members of the public are concerned that the law is being broken or they are experiencing anti-social behaviour, they can report this to the police, who will consider the most appropriate response and will target the most problematic behaviour. Reports should be made through online reporting wherever possible, and 999 should only be used in an emergency.”