Liberal Democrat Leader calls for police to get tougher on Covid-19

The Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE

Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, has written to the Metropolitan Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, asking him to ‘get tougher to tackle the spike in Covid-19’ with a greater police presence on our streets and on our trams.

It comes after new restrictions have been brought in following a spike in positive coronavirus cases across Greater Manchester, particulalrly in Oldham.

Councillor Howard Sykes MBE said he's getting increasingly annoyed and frustrated at seeing the actions of a ‘selfish few’, who are ‘frequently and flagrantly’ flouting the regulations on social distancing and the requirement to wear face coverings on public transport and in shops and takeaways.

Cllr Sykes said:  “Individuals acting in this manner are endangering themselves and others around them and may well be aiding the transmission of this deadly illness. 

"We need to everyone to understand that compliance with the regulations is not only a legal requirement, but also necessary to get this disease under control. 

"We have had education and most people have understood, but a reckless minority are ignoring the law and now is the time when we need enforcement. 

"I have asked Mayor Burnham to get tough and ensure we have an effective and active police presence in our communities and on public transport to punish those offenders who will not comply.”

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