Police have revealed the number of arrests, warnings, suicide attempts, Covid-related calls and mental health calls made to the emergency joint control room (ESJCR) over the current lockdown.

Numbers indicate that from March 3 to 21, 17 people were arrested for Covid-19 regulation breaches, and 80 warnings were given for minor first-time breaches.

In addition to prosecution through the courts, three fixed penalty notices have also been issued.

Police have also received 222 Covid-related calls.

Sixteen calls made were related to mental health issues and police said that one person attempted to take their own life.

Superintendent Stephen Maddocks said: ’As always the large majority of the public are adhering strictly to the rules. ’However, there are still people who think the rules don’t apply to them and we receive a large number of calls on a daily basis reporting potential breaches. The common themes are reports of people leaving their homes after being instructed to self-isolate, businesses continuing to operate without following regulations or workers not wearing masks where social distancing cannot be maintained and people gathering in open spaces.’

He continued: ’Last week alone we had 16 calls to the ESJCR which related to mental health issues. We had one person attempt to take their own life and 11 calls of people making threats of suicide.

’Lockdown is obviously having an impact on people and we would encourage anyone who is needing help to contact the relevant support agencies or speak to a family member or friend.’

Superindendent Maddocks said that members of the public had been complaining about the force’s management of Covid-19 breaches: ’There seems to be a feeling from the public that the police are not dealing with breaches but I can assure you we investigate all reports made to us and take any suspected breach seriously.

’All the work is in addition to the general day to day Police work we deal with. We have not changed our policing approach from the past two lockdowns and we work on a system called the 4 E’s (Engage, Explain, Encourage and Enforce).

’Enforcement is always usually a last option. However, a clear and flagrant breach, such as a person who was Covid-19 positive and went out in public would immediately be arrested and dealt with.

’It is only minor breaches, which in essence are assessed as low risk matters, where a person would receive an official warning. We record these matters and should a person make another breach, then a stricter approach will be taken.’

Police said that there is useful advice on the government website regarding mental health at: wellbeinghttps://covid19.gov.im/health-wellbeing/are-you-ok.