Cumbria Police is calling on the county to "respond positively" to new Government measures designed to address the "significantly" rising Covid-19 cases across the UK.

Among the measures announced by the Prime Minister yesterday was the new requirement for licensed venues to close between 10pm and 5am.

Those who can work from home are also once again being asked to do so if possible.

Cumbria Constabulary’s Assistant Chief Constable, and the chairman of Cumbria’s Strategic Coordinating Group, Andrew Slattery, welcomed the new Government's new measures, given the fact that cases are "now rising dramatically across the country", and an "increase in deaths" is beginning to be seen.

"The situation which has been developing in recent weeks meant that continued release of lockdown was no longer sustainable and measures had to be taken to apply the brakes. Hopefully these measures will have the desired effect but more stringent restrictions may need to come into force if they do not.

“The vast majority of people in Cumbria were fantastic in respecting the restrictions earlier this year.

"People not only protected their own health but protected the well-being of others, including close family members, which resulted in greatly reduced infections and provided relief for the NHS.

“We are now asking you to do the same and I am confident Cumbrian people will again meet the challenge and adhere to the new regulations."

ACC Slattery had a stark message for those who choose not to follow the rules put in place to combat the spread of Covid-19.

"My message is that we will not hesitate to take enforcement action against those who show a wilful disregard for the health and well-being of themselves and others," he said.

"Refusal to adhere to the regulations is not your individual risk, it is a collective risk for all in our communities.

"Cumbria Constabulary issued hundreds of fixed penalty notices over the summer months to those who broke the rules and non-compliance with the new measures is unacceptable and will result in newly increased penalties."

He added that Cumbria Police officers will be patrolling areas where licensed venues operate across the county, to ensure that the new rules are being followed, as well as to "prevent people from congregating in the street afterwards".

"If you are out socialising then please go home as soon as the pubs and takeaways close at 10pm," ACC Slattery said.

He added that the multi-agency Strategic Coordinating Group, which is guiding the county's response to coronavirus, is set to increase its activity in order to ensure the pandemic is tackled "effectively" in Cumbria.

“This is a critical point," he stressed.

"I urge people to think about why these new measures are necessary and what will happen if they are not adhered to.

"If people respond positively to the new measures, we can once again curtail the rise in infections which will, ultimately, save the lives of people in our community."

There are three simple actions people can take to help reduce the spread of Covid-19, summed up as: "wash your hands, cover your face and make space".