Lockdown easing "will only last as long as people act responsibly" warns police chief
Lockdown easing "will only last as long as people act responsibly," according to one of the region's most senior police officers.
Dorset Chief Constable James Vaughan said that he was expecting demand on police to return to "normal summer levels, and perhaps a bit further" as pubs and restaurants reopen on Saturday.
His warnings come as police forces, ambulance services and other emergency services ask people to take care over the weekend.
Chief Constable Vaughan was speaking following chaos in Bournemouth last week after thousands flocked to the seafront over two days of hot weather.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council had to declare a major incident in the area because of the risk of services being overwhelmed.
The chief constable said his officers dealt with "more incident in Bournemouth on [25th June] than we had at the millennium or any new years eve."
But he also added that poor weather over the weekend would help officers, as people would be more likely to stay away from beaches and other public spaces.
In Sussex, Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said she understood that "people will want to advantage of the opportunity this weekend brings" but urged people to "do so safely with social distancing at all times."
She said: “We have come so far already and, in order to keep progressing in the right direction, we must all be sensible in our decision-making.
"If you arrive somewhere and notice that social distancing isn’t achievable, then please reassess your plans."
Meanwhile paramedics are also gearing up for increased pressure.
Union rep and paramedic Jason Dicker told us that the "fears are immense."