Derby responds to crisis

Published: 15 January 2021

Due to the rapid increase in cases particularly in certain areas of the city, Derby City Council Officers in conjunction with Derbyshire Police, took part in an operation on Tuesday to ensure that businesses and individuals were complying with COVID regulations.

For many months now Environmental Health and Trading Standards have been providing support to businesses across the city offering advice and support on staying COVID-Safe and whilst the vast majority have taken on board all the advice and worked incredibly hard to maintain safe environments there are some businesses who have not met the required standards despite repeated visits and guidance.

The team set out to visit a number of specific businesses, from small independent shops to large supermarkets, in a variety of locations including the city centre, Littleover, Mackworth. Normanton and Rosehill.

The team visited around 20 premises and were delighted to find a marked difference in compliance rate for mask wearing and issued just one Fixed Penalty Notice issued for a lack of face covering indoors.

Inspector Lauren Woods from Derbyshire Constabulary, said:

First and foremost I would like to say a big thank you to residents, businesses and visitors to the city who are playing their part in keeping our city safe and helping contain the spread of coronavirus.

The fact that we saw so few breaches during this operation is particularly heartening giving the ever-increasing infection rates and, tragically, deaths as a result of COVID-19.

Our officers will continue to patrol the city with our colleagues from Derby City Council and I would urge anyone with concerns or queries to speak to the teams when they are out and about.

Councillor Jonathan Smale, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods Communities and Streetpride said:

The rapid rise in COVID cases means that we are at a crucial tipping point locally and nationally and our NHS is facing extreme pressure.

That also means that the Council and Police are also under extra pressure to ensure that everyone plays their part. I am truly grateful to our officers and the Police who have been out there every day since March trying to keep our residents and our businesses safe. I’m pleased that this operation showed that it seems the messages are getting through and people are doing the right thing for Derby.

Our individual actions may not seem consequential but combined they make a huge difference in helping to reduce the spread of the virus.

Community