Coronavirus in Portsmouth: Hampshire police encourage instant online reporting of Covid breaches

Deaths have reached 722 at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham, with medics warning the facility is experiencing its worst winter in 20 years.

The latest seven-day rate for Portsmouth showed 407 infections per 100,000 population, with 12,278 cases in Portsmouth since the start of the pandemic.

Police are enforcing the law behind the stay-at-home order from prime minister Boris Johnson.

That includes stopping a Gosport 26-year-old man alone in his car at 1am on January 15. He was at Gilkicker when officers approached.

‘The man was seen driving around the seafront,’ a police spokesman said.

‘He was approached by officers who engaged with him and encouraged him to return home, as to adhere to the government restrictions, but he became aggressive and was subsequently issued with a fine.’

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Anyone can report breaches, from people not wearing masks to shops, to large parties.

To report a breach, visit hampshire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/c19/tell-us-about-possible-breach-coronavirus-measures

Officers take a four-step approach to anyone flouting the rules. They first engage, then encourage compliance, explain the rules and if this is ignored they then enforce.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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