Police and council in Portsmouth to be given extra cash to enforce Covid-19 rules as Home Office spends £60m

Hampshire Constabulary is set to receive around £778,000, while Portsmouth City Council is being handed £130,000 for enforcement of Covid-19 rules.

Gosport and Fareham councils are each receiving around £41,000 and Havant is set to get £67,000.

Crime commissioner Michael Lane said ‘generally’ people in Hampshire were ‘doing what they should’ to keep safe.

But he added: ‘Examples of dangerous groupings with high risks of infections cannot be permitted to put all this good work and our health and lives at risk.

‘It is why the regulations have been extended and enforcement must be dialled up to quickly intervene where there is risk.

‘It is essential for us all to do our part and to understand this heightened enforcement has become necessary.’

Tough new rules mean pubs must shut at 10pm and people cannot congregate in groups of more than six.

Pressure has been put on police and councils to check people are following the rules.

Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage said: ‘Our constabulary and councils have been under a tremendous pressure to help our community cope with the repercussions of the pandemic, and ensure that we are Covid-19 compliant.

‘I am grateful for all their hard work and dedication to keeping the residents of Gosport, Hill Head, Stubbington and Lee-on-the-Solent safe and supported. I hope this funding will help their continued efforts.’

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