Black Country Pc moves away from family home to protect newborn over coronavirus fears

A police officer who covers the Black Country has moved out of his family home to protect his newborn baby girl amid coronavirus.

Pc Richard Bracey, a response officer based at Bloxwich in Walsall, made the hard decision after fearing he would expose his family to the virus.

It means the frontline officer, who covers emergency calls in Walsall and Wolverhampton, won't see his three older children – and his nine-week-old daughter Isla-Rose.

He said: "It’s been a really hard decision to make, but I feel it’s the right one for my family. I also have three older children who I won’t see during this time.

"Isla’s health must come first, she’s so small and vulnerable, I wouldn’t want to put her at any further risk. I’m a frontline officer and that means I could potentially catch the virus and pass it onto her.

"Lots of people in the NHS and other emergency services are having to make similar sacrifices to carry out their work while protecting their loved ones.

"I'm amazed and inspired by all these people.

"It worries me that I’m missing out on vital bonding with Isla, but it won’t be forever.

"I’ve still got my job to do and I’m passionate about continuing to help and protect our communities during this pandemic."

Pc Bracey, who has served West Midlands Police for 11 years, has been self-isolating for the past two weeks.

He arrested a 35-year-old man in Walsall town centre on suspicion of an offensive weapon on his return to duty yesterday.

The man allegedly tried to spit at the officer, before spitting in the police car whilst on his way into custody.

Pc Bracey has now moved into his mother's house, which is currently empty as she has moved into Richard's grandparents' home to look after his grandmother.

He plans to keep in touch with his partner Kelly and her son, along with Isa and his three other children as often as he can.