THIS year has begun with the officers who make up your Wellington Police Team continuing to adapt to changing guidelines in relation to Covid-19.

Wellington – like other towns and villages across Somerset – entered Tier 4 National Lockdown on Wednesday, January 6. This was after a period of us being in Tier 3 over Christmas and the New Year.

We are dealing with a highly transmissible variant of the virus and confirmed Covid cases across the Wellington area are spiralling. More than at any other time during this pandemic, we need to stick to the lockdown rules and stay close to home. It is not reasonable or essential to travel lengthy distances to take daily exercise, when it can be taken from the doorstep.

So before you pick up your car keys, get on your bike, put your trainers or walking boots on, ask yourself – do I need to make that journey? Is there a real need? Is it necessary? Can I change my route or my form of exercise to stay closer to home? Are my actions within the law and also within the spirit of the ‘stay local’ advice?

If you can answer those questions honestly and with a clear conscience, then you are acting responsibly.

We ask that you use the amenities in your neighbourhood as much as you can. Think local, maintain a social distance, wash your hands regularly and use a face covering in shops and busy outdoor spaces.

In line with Government policy and current Covid-19 regulations, the enquiry office at Wellington Police Station has closed temporarily to protect members of the public and our officers who continue to operate out of the station as normal.

We will continue a ‘four Es’ approach to policing Covid-19 restrictions during the third national lockdown – Engage, Explain, Encourage and Enforce. We’re more than nine months into this pandemic and now more than ever people need to take responsibility for their actions, so anyone deliberately and wilfully contravening the restrictions without good reason can expect a fine.

While Covid-19 presents extra work for the officers and staff which make up the Wellington Policing Team, it’s important not to forget that we continue to deal with traditional policing matters too and we are here for anyone who needs us.

Unfortunately, all beat surgeries and community events like our planned bike marking events for January to register any new bikes from Christmas have had to be postponed until further notice. As soon as Covid restrictions relax and we are able to safely offer these services to you all once again we will advertise times and dates to make you all aware.

Until then we will continue to carry out our patrols in and around Wellington and will remain visible throughout your communities.

My overriding message to you all is help us to help you. Stay home, stay safe and save lives.

Sgt Dan BISHOP

Wellington Policing Team