Council leader urges public to report Covid rule breakers

A council leader has urged people to report Covid-19 rule-breaking in shops, businesses and workplaces to council enforcement officers.

City of Wolverhampton Council’s Ian Brookfield issued the stark warning as Covid cases surge in the city and deaths continue to rise.

He said: “We are facing a very grave situation and we need everyone to understand this is serious – families and lives are at stake.

“Premises flouting the rules are risking lives – it’s as simple as that. We need to know about this so that our enforcement officers can work with local police to take action and stamp it out.

“We need local people to be our ‘eyes and ears’ on the ground. If you see something in your workplace or when you are making an essential visit to your local store – we need to know about it.”

Since March, eight prohibition notices have been served on businesses by the council for breaking Covid rules.

The infection rate has risen dramatically in Wolverhampton over the last month, with more than 2,500 people testing positive for Covid-19 in the past week.

The number of people in the city’s New Cross Hospital with the virus is now around 300.

Brookfield said:  “My message to customers alarmed or concerned with what they see in premises is ‘vote with your feet’ – don’t put yourself at risk and report it to us so we can take action. To those who think they are above the law, obey the rules or face a fine.

“Complacency is a killer and we’ve all got to up our game. This is not a step we are taking lightly. It’s a last resort, but it emphasises the gravity of the situation.

“It’s vital that we all obey the rules and that we all double down on our efforts to stop the spread of Covid-19. That means following the lockdown restrictions and avoiding any unnecessary contact with others.”