THERE has been a lot said and written about the government’s new coronavirus lockdown guidelines in the past week: are they as clear as day or as murky as mud?

But for Surrey’s Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, the guidelines couldn’t be clearer and, in his own words, “it’s time for people to take personal responsibility”.

The force has seen the number of fixed penalty notices issued for breaches of Covid-19 laws plummet in recent weeks, with just 31 £60 fines dished out over the VE Day bank holiday weekend, compared to 114 over the previous long weekend.

In total, since the introduction of the lockdown, there have been 313 fixed penalty notices issued in Surrey.

Chief Con Stephens believes this is down to both people getting used to the regulations and a “recognising the need for a higher degree of personal responsibility they need to take”.

He added the number of fines handed out by officers is expected to fall further following the relaxation of lockdown measures, and suggested that in terms of enforcing Covid-19 restrictions, in reality officers are now tasked only with enforcing illegal gatherings of three or more people.

Instead, he said the government has made clear that it is down to individuals to ensure they are keeping their friends and loved ones safe by limiting contact and wearing face coverings when necessary.

He has, though, emphasised one particular area of concern locally: car parks.

And specifically crowded car parks at Surrey’s beauty spots such as Frensham Ponds, The Devil’s Punchbowl and Box Hill.

Chief Con Stephens told members of the media during a virtual briefing last Thursday: “The one thing I’d make a personal appeal to Surrey residents about is to be sensible in policing themselves at the meeting points of the county’s beauty spots.

“Once you’re out in the beauty spot, walking across Box Hill or one of the parks and open spaces, it’s not too much of an issue. But we have seen problems at the car parks, and of course, that runs a very real prospect of bringing you closer than two metres from larger groups of people.

“That’s not something we can police. But of course it’s something that directly affects people’s safety and the spread of the virus. So I’d make a big appeal for communities to be really sensible about that.”

Chief Con Stephens added officers will continue to follow the ‘four Es’, by engaging with the public, explaining what they should be doing, encouraging them to do the right thing and then enforcing if necessary.

And he also thanked the “overwhelming majority” of Surrey residents for their cooperation in staying at home and saving lives.

For more information about the regulations, visit https://tinyurl.com/yaazdvsz