Ongoing investigations linked to self-isolation and lockdown breaches

Saturday 20 February 2021

Several breaches of lockdown restrictions are currently being investigated, the Head of Bailiwick Law Enforcement has confirmed.

Both Guernsey Police and Border Agents have been faced with a number of challenging situations in recent weeks.

Head of Law Enforcement, Ruari Hardy, stressed that these situations have been the exception rather than the norm, and for the most part, the public have been following the lockdown and self-isolation rules well.

Pictured: The Head of Law Enforcement gave the update during the latest Civil Contingencies Authority media briefing.

There are currently 186 people in travel-related self-isolation in Guernsey and Border Agency staff continue to monitor these people, to offer support and check that they are fulfilling quarantine requirements. 

“There have been 34 investigations into self-isolation breaches,” said Mr Hardy. “We have successfully achieved 15 convictions and there are five ongoing investigations.”

“We’re also dealing with investigations connected to breaches of the current lockdown."

In the first instance, with any alleged breach, officers are having conversations and making sure people fully understand what is required of them.

“300 calls have been made in respect to lockdown issues,” said Mr Hardy. “63 people have been given words of advice, 17 people have had final warnings and three people have been reported for Covid-related offences."

There have been only five calls to police about the wearing of masks since face coverings were made mandatory in indoor public places, with no fixed penalty notices issued. 

Pictured: There have been “very high levels of compliance” during lockdown, Mr Hardy said. 

During the briefing, Mr Hardy touched on the worrying rise in domestic abuse cases.

“Sadly, we have seen a slight increase in calls for service in relation to domestic incidents – we’re dealing with a number of cases each day” he said. "No one should be living in fear or under threat of abuse."

BLE has stressed that help is available for any number of situations people may find themselves in.

There have been 43 call-outs for "acute mental health and self-harm" during lockdown, which is another area of increasing concern. Express has posed further questions to the States on the effects of lockdown on people's mental health and will be investigating this further in the days to come.