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COVID-19 enforcement: what powers do the Met have?

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Created on
16 October 2020

On 22 September 2020, the Government announced new measures to help stop the spread of COVID-19, including a 10pm curfew for hospitality businesses and the ‘rule of six’.



The Met has announced that it will be “stepping up” its enforcement of COVID-19 regulations in response to changes to regulations and rising rates of infection. The Met and London boroughs have signed up to a partnership agreement to assist in the enforcement of COVID regulations with local authorities in charge of enforcement activity around closure of licensed premises and restriction of access to public places.

Yesterday, it was announced that London would move into Tier 2 restrictions at midnight tonight. With new rules, including a ban on households mixing indoors, what powers do the Met have to fine Londoners who break COVID-19 rules? How will the Met work with local authorities and others to police the new rules?

On Monday, the London Assembly Police & Crime Committee will question the Met Police and the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime on COVID-19 enforcement measures.

Other topics to be discussed include:

  • Custody and police protection
  • Hate crime
  • County lines
  • Violence Reduction Unit and work with young people
  • Human resources and professionalism
  • Huawei and Emergency Services Network

The guests are:

  • Nick Ephgrave, Assistant Commissioner, Metropolitan Police
  • Sophie Linden, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime

The meeting will take place on Monday, 19 October 2020 from 2pm. In line with government advice, this meeting will take place virtually.



Media and members of the public can watch the meeting live here.

Notes to editors

  1. Full agenda papers.
  2. Unmesh Desai AM, Chair of the Police & Crime Committee is available for interview. 
  3. Find out more about the work of the Police & Crime Committee.
  4. As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.

For more details, please contact Aoife Nolan in the Assembly Media Office on 020 7983 4067.  For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer.  Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit, Greater London Authority, on 020 7983 4100.

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