Leader of Redbridge Council and East Area BCU Commander join forces to tackle COVID-19
Published: 17 January 2021
Redbridge Council Leader, Cllr Jas Athwal, and East Area BCU Commander, Chief Superintendent Stephen Clayman today (Sunday, 17 January) joined the council’s engagement and enforcement teams in Ilford in the fight against Covid-19.
Cllr Athwal and Chief Superintendent Stephen Clayman joined council COVID marshalls and local police officers in Ilford, handing out leaflets, answering questions, and encouraging tests for key workers and those who have to leave home to work.
Redbridge has one of the highest Covid-19 infection rates in the country, and last week 63 people in the borough died after contracting the virus.
The council and the police have been working together throughout the pandemic to engage with residents and businesses, explaining guidance and the need to comply with it, and taking enforcement action against those who deliberately flout the rules.
A council-owned double-decker bus painted black with key Covid-19 messaging has also been patrolling throughout the borough in a bid to emphasise how serious the problem is in Redbridge and the need for everyone to Act Now to keep safe.
Cllr Athwal said: “Working together with our public-sector partners, such as the police, is an essential part of tackling this deadly virus. We are at a crucial point in the pandemic, and it is vital that nobody becomes complacent as the Covid-19 vaccination programme is rolled out.
“If anyone is in any doubt about the severity of this virus, they only need to view footage shown this week from inside some London hospitals with exhausted NHS staff continuing to work flat out to save lives and wards full of patients gasping for breath as a result of Covid-19. The message is simple: stay home, follow the guidance, don’t let one of your loved ones become a victim of Covid-19.”
Chief Superintendent, Stephen Clayman said: “Your local police teams continue to work hard, putting themselves in the front line to keep you safe during this pandemic. We are working very closely with our council partners and whilst the majority of the community are complying with the rules, some are not and are putting others at risk.
"If officers come across blatant breaches of these Covid rules, we may move quickly to enforcement action and this will certainly be the case with large gatherings, house parties and unlicensed music events. Please listen to these messages and keep safe.”
One in three people who test positive for Covid-19 do not display any symptoms but could be spreading the virus.
More information on Redbridge Council’s door-to-door engagement here: https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/news/december-2020/redbridge-door-to-door-engagement/
