Policing the Covid Crisis: Exploring Public Views and Experiences of Social Distancing

This project explores the views of the public and key stakeholders on the Covid 19 Crisis, police powers and the policing of the lockdown and social distancing measures in Middlesbrough and wider Teesside area. Employing telephone interviews and a survey the research covers the following themes:

• Knowledge and understanding of the Covid 19 crisis.
• Knowledge and understanding of lockdown and social distancing measures in response to the Covid 19 crisis.
• Sources of information about the Covid 19 crisis and lockdown/social distancing measures.
• Knowledge and understanding of emergency legislation and enhanced police powers as a response to the Covid 19 crisis.
• Compliance with lockdown and social distancing measures.
• Views on police conduct during the crisis, specifically in regard to police enactment of Covid 19 emergency powers to ensure compliance with social distancing.
• Interactions and experiences with police during lockdown.
• General perceptions of community compliance with lockdown/social distancing measures.
• Residents views/recommendations on how the police should employ enhanced Covid 19 emergency powers.

This research is exploring public views of how Cleveland Police have managed the Covid19 lockdown