POLICE in Herefordshire say fines will be a last resort as they start to enforce the new law where shoppers in England will have to wear face coverings from Friday.

People visiting shops, supermarkets, sandwich shops, coffee shops and take-aways will need to wear face coverings, as is already the case on public transport.

But Herefordshire chief superintendent Sue Thomas said officers will be engaging with the public before issuing the £100 fines, which if paid within 14 days will be reduced to £50.

“As you will be well aware new legislation around face coverings comes in to place tomorrow (Friday, July 24)," she said.

"As our public engagement approach has proven successful within our communities thus far we will continue to explain and encourage first and foremost and issue fines only as a last resort.

“As I’m sure the public will understand we will not be responding to general reports we receive of people not wearing face coverings.

"However, we will of course be there if people refuse to leave a premises or where there are concerns around public order and our local policing teams will be engaging with local businesses over the coming days.

“You will be able to report breaches to us online and we will use this information to help us identify if there are key problem locations so that we can support those business.”

Her view was echoed by the chair of the National Police Chiefs' Council who said experience from the coronavirus lockdown laws, which stopped people making unnecessary journeys, showed fixed penalty notices are a last resort.

Martin Hewitt said: “These new regulations mean that people will be required to wear face coverings in certain enclosed places in England, including shops, transport hubs, banks and post offices.

“Experience shows that compliance with the regulations is high, and we trust that the public will follow these regulations, helping to keep the spread of the virus under control. Retailers and their staff should encourage customers to wear face coverings inside their premises.

“Police involvement should be a last resort for situations where all efforts from retail staff have been exhausted, customers refuse to leave or staff are facing aggression. Police will continue to engage, explain and encourage, with enforcement being a last resort.

“Staff working in shops and other enclosed places included in the regulations will be working hard to keep people safe in their premises. We will take very seriously any abuse or violence used against them for simply doing their jobs."

Certain groups of people are exempt from the new laws, including children under the age of 11, people with breathing problems and anyone who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment or disability.

A Department of Health spokesman said: "From Friday, July 24, it will be mandatory to wear a face covering in shops and supermarkets, as is currently the case on public transport.

"If a shop or supermarket has a cafe or a seating area to eat and drink, you can remove your face covering in that area."