Northamptonshire's Chief Constable says it will be down to shop staff to police wearing face coverings in shops

Retailers and unions fear workers could face abuse when new rules kick-in on July 24
Supermarket shoppers will be forced to wear face coverings in stores from July 24. Photo: Getty ImagesSupermarket shoppers will be forced to wear face coverings in stores from July 24. Photo: Getty Images
Supermarket shoppers will be forced to wear face coverings in stores from July 24. Photo: Getty Images

Northamptonshire's top cop says it will be down to shops "in the first instance" to police wearing face coverings in shops.

The government announced last night that anyone not wearing a face covering in shops and supermarkets in England could face fines up to £100 from July 24.

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Officers will responsible for enforcing the new measures and issuing penalties for failing to comply — as they were when orders to only leave home for essential reasons were in place.

County Chief Constable Nick Adderley tweeted today: "Shops will be responsible, in the first instance, for the policing of this.

"It’s going to be challenging but thankfully we have mainly compliant communities here and a good partnerships across the county."

Government ministers say police will be responsible for enforcing the new guidelines by handing out penalties — as they were during the early weeks of the lockdown when people were told to only go out when they had to or face fines.

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Environment secretary George Eustace told Sky News: "Retailers will not be responsible for enforcing this but they will probably want to have masks available to potentially give to people who don't have masks."

Northamptonshire Chief Constable Nick AdderleyNorthamptonshire Chief Constable Nick Adderley
Northamptonshire Chief Constable Nick Adderley

Martin Hewitt, chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, said: “We will expect retailers to manage entry to their stores and compliance with the law while customers are inside, with police involvement as a last resort.

"As with other Coronavirus regulations, we will follow an approach of engaging, explaining, encouraging and only enforcing where encouragement has been unsuccessful.

“Experience shows that compliance with the regulations to manage the spread of Coronavirus is high and this must continue to be a joint effort between the retail sector, customers, government and police. This is particularly important as demand on the police increases as the lockdown eases.”

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The boss of booksellers Waterstones, which has a branch in Northampton's Abington Street, James Daunt told the BBC But the book chain boss also said it "would not be right" to ask staff to enforce the rule.

Some shoppers at Rushden Lakes are already going prepared. Photo: Getty ImagesSome shoppers at Rushden Lakes are already going prepared. Photo: Getty Images
Some shoppers at Rushden Lakes are already going prepared. Photo: Getty Images

Mr Daunt added: "There are a tiny, tiny minority of people who will be confrontational over it and it is not the position of shop workers to enter into that situation.

"We shouldn't put ourselves in confrontational positions, but I think we can, as retailers, if we are requested to do so, clearly tell everybody it is a sensible thing to do."

Shopworkers union Usdaw said workers are already dealing with more abuse than normal and urged the government to clarify its policy on face coverings in shops.

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General secretary Paddy Lillis said: "We welcome the indication that shop workers will not be expected to enforce the wearing of face coverings.

"They are already dealing with more abuse than normal and this could be another flashpoint."

Government changed its advice regarding public wearing coverings in enclosed public spaces in mid-May after originally claiming there was little benefit.

It has been compulsory on public transport since 15 June — although there have been many reports of passengers ignoring the order on Northamptonshire's trains and buses.

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Health Secretary Matt Hancock is expected to set out the new guidance today.The rules be the same as those on public transport in England, which means children under 11 and people with certain health conditions will be exempt.