Coronavirus Crisis: What Swadlincote Residents Need To Know About New Police Powers

Like all other forces throughout the UK and Northern Ireland, Derbyshire Police now has dispersal powers to help ensure everyone adheres to the social distancing guidance laid out by the Government and Public Health England.

These powers have been granted under the Health Regulations 2020 and came into effect on Thursday.

What does this mean for you?

• Police will be able to disperse groups of more than two people from any public place
• Groups of more than two people - who live in the same household - are permitted
• Anyone who refuses to disperse will be given a £60 fixed penalty notice, reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days
• Second time offenders will be issued with a £120 fixed penalty notice - this will then double on each further repeat offence
• Anyone who does not pay a fixed penalty notice under the new regulations could be taken to court, where magistrates will be able to impose unlimited fines
• Anyone who refuses to comply will be acting unlawfully and may be arrested, but only if it is deemed proportionate and necessary

Officers will be out and about in the community to ensure that people are complying with the law.

Police have even been using drones as a deterrent and A spokesman for Derbyshire police insisted there was nothing sinister about the deployment. "It's not Big Brother," he said.

"It's just to illustrate the fact that people are going out and making journeys against the Government's rules.

"The rules are clear that people should avoid all non-essential travel and exercise and walk their dogs near their homes."