UK Police Get New Powers to Arrest and Fine COVID-19 Lockdown Flouters

British police officers secure a cordon in a residential street in north-west London on April 28, 2017. File photo. Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images

British police have received enhanced powers amid the COVID-19 outbreak, including the ability to arrest lockdown flouters and impose higher fines.

The UK Home Office announced that its newly adopted public health regulations would strengthen police enforcement powers in England “to reduce the spread of coronavirus, protect the NHS and save lives.” The NHS is Britain’s national health service.