POLICE will continue to maintain a visible presence across Herefordshire to help control the spread of coronavirus, the force has confirmed.

And business owners and members of the public are being asked to report breaches of Covid-19 regulations to help support the effort.

Breaches include gatherings of more than 30 people, although there are exceptions such as schools and workplaces, and people aged over 10 not wearing a face covering on public transport and in shops and supermarkets without a valid exemption such as physical or mental illness, impairment or disability which prevents wearing a face covering, taking medicine, eating and drinking when necessary, lip reading, travelling to escape harm, and being asked to remove your face covering by someone in authority.

Chief superintendent Sue Thomas said: “Throughout the national response to Covid-19 we have been grateful that the vast majority of people across the communities we serve have followed the regulations and have done what they can to keep themselves, their family and their communities safe.

“Whilst we have all been able to have a little more freedom in the last couple of weeks it’s important that we don’t become complacent. Coronavirus is still a very real and deadly threat and we all need to play our part in controlling its spread.

“We are asking that the public to act responsibly and follow the Government regulations; wear face coverings on public transport and in shops and don’t gather in large groups.

“There will remain a visible police presence across Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire to support compliance and , as we have throughout, we will focus on encouraging people to follow the regulations first and foremost and will issue fines only as a last resort.”

You can report breaches to West Mercia Police online here and they will use this information to help identify if there are key problem locations to support those business.