Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Home Office discussed the guidance issued by the National Police Chiefs' Council in relation to the "engaging, explaining, encouraging and enforcing" strategy prior to that guidance being issued.

Throughout the pandemic, the Home Office has worked closely with operational partners including the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) to ensure that police forces across the country have the powers and guidance required to effectively enforce restrictions.

The police in the UK have always policed by consent. The four Es guidance was introduced in spring 2020 to help policing provide a measured and consistent approach during this unprecedented situation. The College of Policing has produced a range of resources to explain the new powers and to help forces across the country in their response to COVID-19.