Policing Covid19: Public experiences and perceptions during the lockdown

The Coronavirus Act 2020 granted the government emergency powers to handle the COVID-19
pandemic. The Act was introduced to Parliament on the 19th March 2020, passed through the
House of Commons on the 23rd March, and the House of Lords on the 25th March, receiving royal
assent on the 25th March 2020.
The Act allowed the government the discretionary power to limit or suspend public gatherings, to
detain individuals suspected to be infected by Covid19, and to intervene or relax regulations in a
range of sectors to limit transmission of the disease, ease the burden on public health services, and
assist healthcare workers and the economically affected. Areas covered by the Act included the
National Health Service, Social Care Services, Schools, the Police, the Border Force, Local Councils,
Funeral Services, and the Courts.
To this end, the project had two aims:
1. To understand community perceptions regarding Cleveland Police implementation of the
Coronavirus Act powers.
2. To understand how the community would like Cleveland Police and the OPCC to engage with
them during the period of social distancing when traditional face to face engagement mechanisms
are not appropriate