NORTH Yorkshire Police's assistant chief constable has responded to the new lockdown rules announced on Sunday evening by Boris Johnson.

ACC Mike Walker says as Government's restrictions and regulations change, so will the police's role.

It comes as lockdown fines will rise to £100 in England from Wednesday.

ACC Walker commented: “Firstly my thanks goes to the vast majority of people who have stayed at home so far and helped to save lives. It has been and continues to be a difficult and challenging time for many people and it’s important not to lose sight of why we have had these measures imposed to begin with.

“As the Government’s restrictions and regulations change, the police’s role will too.

“At this moment in time, we are working with police nationally, and as more detailed information, guidance and changes to the regulations become clear, we will share them with our communities and what it means for policing locally. The core British principle of policing by consent will continue to be at the heart of our approach.”

In the meantime, North Yorkshire Police said people should follow the Government’s advice at www.gov.uk/coronavirus and:

• Stay at home as much as possible

• Work from home if you can

• Limit contact with other people

• Keep your distance if you go out (two meters apart where possible)

• Wash your hands regularly

• Self-isolate if anyone in your household has symptoms

Meanwhile, fines from police if they believe people are flouting restrictions on movement amid the coronavirus outbreak will rise to £100 in England from Wednesday.

The first fine someone receives will be lowered to £50 if paid within 14 days, according to the Home Office.

Fines will double for each repeat offence, up to a maximum of £3,200.

Existing legislation known as the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020 will be updated from Wednesday to reflect the changes coming into force.

It is not yet clear if the same changes to fines will be adopted in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The news comes as the body that represents rank-and-file police officers warned the Prime Minister's relaxed lockdown guidance still risks being a set of "loose rules that are left open to interpretation" and is difficult to implement.

John Apter, the national chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said: "What we need from the Prime Minister and the Government now is clear and unambiguous messaging and guidance, explaining what exactly is expected of the public, so that my colleagues can do their level best to police it.

"Police officers will continue to do their best, but their work must be based on crystal clear guidance, not loose rules that are left open to interpretation - because that will be grossly unfair on officers whose job is already challenging."

Mr Apter noted that Boris Johnson's statement came after a week of "mixed messages and the release of some information which, fuelled by media speculation, meant many people acted as though the lockdown had already ended."

He said: "If the message of what is expected of the public is not clear, then it will make the job of policing this legislation almost impossible."