POLICE officers in Oxfordshire had a ‘busy week’ visiting people who are meant to be self-isolating and trying to stop dirt bikes causing havoc in the woods.

Taking to social media, the Henley Neighbourhood Policing Team wrote: “We continue to be out and about, so if you see us feel free to wave us down for a chat.” 

The team responded to people breaking the lockdown rules and went to check that those who are meant to be self-isolating were sticking to the law.

Other things the police got up to this weekend included:
•Officers worked with TVP Roads Policing and regularly patrolled woodland where there had been multiple reports of dirt bikes being ridden. Police say there has now been ‘significantly less reports’ this weekend.
•The team responded to people breaking the lockdown rules and went to check that those who are meant to be self-isolating were sticking to the law.
•Neighbourhood officers handed out ‘Anti-social behaviour contracts’ (ABC) and ‘Community Resolutions’ are responding to incidents in Henley.
•One officer stopped a man on the street who had cannabis.
•Several vulnerable people were ‘safeguarded’.
•One person was given fraud advice after their bank account was targeted by a scammer.

Here is what our reader's said about the police checking-up on those meant to be self-isolating:

PAM OVEREND: "If people go out and mix when they should be isolating it could kill people.
"Killing people is a crime and it should be prevented if possible."

MARIE FINCH: "Police need to be doing better things than this."

GERALD DRABBLE: "Let's hope a new PCC ensures the budget is spent wisely on criminal matters and issues that matter to the majority of people."

JEFF HODGSON: "Is it just me that finds it slightly ironic that they are visiting people who are meant to be isolating."

DAN PEYTO: "We were reported for breaking isolation last year.
"We actually went out to be retested as told to do so by the local health hub.
"The police showed up the next day and took a very dim view on the person who reported us without checking their facts first."

DAVID MAHON: "Where I live there has been loads of lockdown breaches.

"There have been a few parties.

"Once I saw over 30 people being taken out of a small flat.

"I say we are not only needing the police to enforce Covid laws but for the maximum fines to be issued and enforced also.

"This is a real threat to both lives and the national economy and it needs draconian measures for those who seem to think they are exempt from the rules."

JAN SMITH: "Have you seen where faith has got us?
"Two lockdowns because people would not follow the rules because 'no one is telling me what to do' attitude.
"So no - faith will not cut it."
TARA CHESHIRE: "Bit late wouldn't you say."

SIMON SCOTT: "There should be a self-funded independent agency doing this job.

"Not the police - they have got enough to get on with."

IAN BRAY: "Waste of police time."

GEORGE MCGEACHY: "This is what the UK has sunk to, dobbing in your family and neighbours."

DANIEL BAYLEY: "Hike in council tax towards police and this is what they are focusing on."

ULDIS BULATS: "More money wasted."

Police were given access to the NHS track and trace self-isolation app in October of last year.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHCS) said police forces will have access 'on a case-by-case' basis to information, enabling them to know if an individual has been told to self-isolate.

People who fail to self-isolate “without reasonable justification” could have their name, address and contact details passed on to the police.