Mark Burns-Williamson: We must redouble our efforts across West Yorkshire to help prevent the spread of coronavirus infections - YEP letters

The Leeds District has now joined Bradford, Calderdale and Kirklees as a Covid-19 ‘area of intervention’ and that should be taken very seriously.

I believe we must redouble our efforts across West Yorkshire and in our communities to help prevent the spread of coronavirus infections and avert the damaging impacts it can have upon both our health and economy.

I would urge everyone to keep appraised of the latest local and Government guidelines, as and when they become available to help understand the critical role that each of us can play in minimising the effects to our families, friends and wider communities.

The inclusion of another big city area under these measures should not be taken lightly and is a clear indicator of the direction of this pandemic, particularly as we look towards the autumn and winter months.

It is crucial that we all work together to stem the tide, using our common sense and allowing the police and other emergency services to focus on the issues of greatest risk and criticality.

I will be continuing to work closely with West Yorkshire Police, key partners, and our local communities to make sure the right support and resources are in place, and that the public are clear about understanding the rules as far as possible and what the implications are if they are knowingly flouting the rules.

I have already been discussing these latest developments with the Chief Constable to ensure the policing approach remains appropriate and adaptable in targeting activity where it’s most needed, whilst at the same time responding to other crime and community safety demands.

Police officers and staff will rightly continue with the approach of engaging, explaining, and encouraging people to do the right thing before taking appropriate enforcement action where necessary as they did with a £10,000 fine to a landowner at the weekend. I am sure communities will want to work with the authorities and police to help reduce the infection rate, save lives and avoid increased fines wherever possible.

We all need to work together collectively to ensure we are contributing to minimise the risk and getting through this next period the best we can, not only for ourselves, but for our families and the wider community, some who are more at risk and vulnerable to this virus than others.