ARGYLL and West Dunbartonshire's police chief has thanked people in Helensburgh and beyond for complying with new laws aimed at slowing the spread of coronavirus in the area.

Chief Superintendent John Paterson said the "vast majority" of people in the area were complying with the new enforcement powers after they were intoduced on March 24.

According to figures released by Police Scotland last week, nine fixed penalty notices were issued to people in the Argyll and West Dunbartonshire police division between March 27 and April 1 for breaches of the government rules on 'social distancing'.

As this article was published, figures for the second full week under 'lockdown' conditions had yet to be published.

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Ch Supt Paterson, the local police commander in Argyll and West Dunbartonshire, said: “Where our officers have encountered people outside, they have been able to engage with them and establish their individual circumstances, explain the guidance and encourage them to comply with it in order to save lives and protect the NHS.

"We will use the enforcement powers as a last resort only where people continue to defy the clear advice being given by the government and our colleagues in the health service.

“We all recognise that the current situation is a significant change to the way people live their lives and we all need to adjust to that.

"We have been given extraordinary powers in an extraordinary situation ‐ powers the police service would not normally wish to have ‐ but I would like to thank all communities across Argyll and West Dunbartonshire for helping and supporting us so far."

READ MORE: No reports of coronavirus 'cough attacks' in Helensburgh, say police

The 'social distancing' rules require people to stay at home to avoid spreading the virus, and only to go outside if they have a 'reasonable excuse – shopping for necessary food, household and medical supplies, travelling to and from work, where working from home is not an option, and daily exercise that adheres to social distancing guidance.

People are advised to stay local for exercise and use open spaces near their homes where possible, avoiding any unnecessary travel.

Police say that "a number of options are being assessed locally which will maximise resources for frontline policing, and ensure officers can be deployed to where they are needed swiftly".

Ch Supt Paterson added: “We are relying on everybody, collectively, to address this absolutely unique and extraordinary time in our history, and my plea to everyone, especially this Easter weekend, is to listen to the advice, stay at home and help us keep you and your loved ones safe.”

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