Calls for measures in Walsall over concerns shoppers are not wearing masks

Members of the Local Outbreak Engagement Board heard how some shops were not insisting on masks being worn as they felt it was the job of the police to enforce and they did not want to refuse custom.

Andy Parsons, chief superintendent of Walsall Police, said the issue needed to be ‘policed’ by all authorities and not just his officers. And he added the force had no powers to challenge or probe further if anyone claimed to have health issues or other exemptions that prevented them from wearing masks.

A question by a member of the public was submitted to the board at a meeting on Tuesday, October 6, which said: “Why is no one enforcing the rules wearing masks in shops?

“At least 50 per cent of the people in a shop were not wearing masks.

“When I asked the duty manager why the rules were not being enforced his reply was ‘it’s the police’s job to enforce the rules as they are not going to turn away paying customers’.”

The board’s response was enforcement extends much further with the police and started with managers of shops insisting on them.

But Councillor Ian Robertson said: “We’ve got to be more forceful in getting people to obey the rules.

“Going around a supermarket the other week, only 20 per cent or so were actually wearing masks.

“I suspect a lot of them were students. Perhaps they and many organisations do need reminding how important it is we all comply.”

Board chairman Stephen Craddock added there appeared to be inconsistencies between different branches of the same chain of businesses.

Chief Supt Parsons said: “You’d have to be pretty isolated not to know at this moment in time that you need to wear a face mask.

“There is definitely a need for face masks to be policed and I intentionally used the word ‘policed’ rather than police to do that.

“When it comes from police it seems quite draconian but when it comes from a partner it is much more likely to be seen as something about health rather than enforcement.

“We are keen to push out that we have all got a responsibility to challenge the issue regarding face masks and social distancing.

“The less people challenge, the more likely we will see non compliance with the legislation. The overarching message is we need all people to police the issues, take that social responsibility.

“We are still in the position whereby if we are faced by a member of the public who states they have an exemption, that is where the conversation starts and finishes.

“My staff have no further powers to probe or to challenge that assertion.”