COUNTY police chiefs responded to news that officers could be expected to fine people who flout the government’s coronavirus lockdown rules.

Speaking after Boris Johnson’s historic announcement on Monday night, Wiltshire’s chief constable Kier Pritchard and police and crime commissioner said they would be working quickly to understand what it meant for the force.

Insp Mark Andrews, chairman of the Wiltshire Police Federation, said rank-and-file officers faced the same difficulties with staff numbers and officer sickness as other emergency services. The national Police Federation said enforcing Mr Johnson’s lockdown would be a challenge.

The prime minister threatened those caught breaking the coronavirus lockdown with fines – given by police in accordance with the Coronavirus Bill.

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Responding to the announcement, Mr Pritchard and Mr Macpherson said: “The Government has been very clear in setting out a new set of measures this evening.

“We will, as an organisation, be following the measures as outlined and will, at pace, work with colleagues to understand what this means for our officers, staff and for the public in Wiltshire and Swindon.

“As well as for policing, these measures clearly have an impact on our wider partners and we have a multi-agency Strategic Coordinating Group scheduled for tomorrow morning where the announcement made by the Government tonight will be an urgent and significant point of discussion.”

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Insp Andrews of the Wiltshire Police Federation said: “It’s a shame that the Prime Minister has had to have these measures put in place. But it’s understandable.

“The police will do our best as always to ensure that his directions are complied with. We’re facing the same challenges as every emergency services in regard to our numbers. We’re suffering the same difficulties with regard to people being off work with sickness or are self-isolating. But we have sufficient numbers to do our day job.”

The comments came as police slapped a dispersal order on John Street car park in Swindon town centre after boy racers descended on the multi-storey on Monday night.

The section 35 order gives police the power to move people on. It will end on Wednesday night.