We are still facing unprecedented and changing times and must continue to work together to respond to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.
The circumstances we continue to face today and in the next months will allow us the opportunity to be the best we can be, to support our neighbours and communities, and fight this health battle. The PCC strongly encourages everyone to keep following the advice from Government to protect yourselves and others and to keep your families safe and well.
We have collected here a range of information and resources that will help you.
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office still advises against’all but essential’ international travel, with a number of low-risk destinations exempt from this advice. Make sure you are familiar with the guidance in relation to your chosen destination before you travel.
Countries and territories exempt from ‘all but essential’ guidance
What you need to do
Detailed government guidance and information
NHS information
What to do if you think you have symptoms
Easy read information leaflets
Other
Since the start of the pandemic, many children have spent more time online than they used to before – and with regular activities not back until September, this is unlikely to change during the summer holidays.
Visit our Keep your children safe this summer page for our Cyber Ambassador Sea Monster activity packs, Safer Superhero activity packs, e-books around safety for little ones, and crucial advice around tombstoning and personal safety for teens.
The organisation Doctors of the World, in partnership with the British Red Cross, Migrant Help and Clear Voice, has produced written translations of key Government advice in 60 languages.
The advice is also available in video format in 10 languages.
More resources
Thank you to the National Autism Society for these visual aids about social distancing.
Coronavirus Scams Warning
NHS Test and Trace scams
Contact tracers will only call you from the number 0300 013 5000. Anyone who does not wish to talk over the phone can request the NHS Test and Trace service to send an email or text instead, inviting them to log into the web-based service.
All text or emails sent by NHS Test and Trace will ask people to sign into the contact tracing website and will provide you with a unique reference number. We would advise people to type the web address https://contact-tracing.phe.gov.uk directly into their browser, followed by the unique reference number given to you, rather than clicking on any link provided in the message.
The NHS Test and Trace service will never:
Other things to beware of
Doorstep fraud
Groups are setting up all over the county to offer support to people who are isolating. Whilst in the vast majority of these cases, the individuals will be well intentioned, there may be some who see this as an opportunity for their own criminal gain.
People carrying out shopping on behalf of you, or a loved one, will at some point need to be paid. If you give them cash, how do you know they will come back with the goods? If you give them your bank cards, they have access to all of your funds.
Doorstep fraud is a crime. It happens to a wide range of people with all sorts of backgrounds. Please report it if it happens to you.
If you have re-opened your business or are planning to do so, please consider steps to keep your business safe and secure, especially now that additional measures to observe social distancing also have to be taken into account.
Download a bulletin with useful guidance here.
If you are keeping your business closed in line with COVID-19 guidance, it’s important for you to review your security measures to reduce the chances of your premises being targeted by criminals.
Secured by Design, the Police Digital Security Centre, and the National Counter Terrorism Security Office have put together a number of tips to help you keep your business and your premises safe during this time.
Top 10 security tips for closed business premises
Top 10 cyber security tips for working from home
Supporting employees experiencing domestic abuse
The Government has put together a Domestic Abuse Guide for Employers to help them support members of staff who are or may be experiencing domestic abuse.
The Victim Care Service provides support for victims of crime to cope with, and recover from, the harmful effects of the crime they have experienced. The service is funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner and provided by Victim Support.
The outbreak of COVID-19 has required the Victim Care Service to make changes in line with Government and Public Health England advice to protect the safety of staff, volunteers, service users and the public.
While the VCS is no longer able to offer face-to-face meetings at this time and users will no longer be able to ‘drop in’ to any office locations, there is still help available over the phone.
The Victim Care Service leaflet can be downloaded here.
The Victim Care Service is open to all victims no matter what the type of crime, regardless of whether the crime has been reported to the police or not, and no matter how recently or how long ago the crime took place.
We know that COVID-19 (Coronavirus) will have a serious impact on the lives of women, children and men who are experiencing domestic abuse. Fears over jobs, financial pressure, school closures, working from home and all the other current changes to our day to day lives are likely to result in an increase in domestic abuse incidents.
The restrictions put in place while the government tries to slow the spread of the virus can leave those already living with domestic abuse fearful of being isolated in the house with their abuser and as if there is nowhere to go for help.
Please remember that you can still call 999 if you or someone else is in danger.
While some domestic abuse support services are not able to offer face to face meetings at this time, there is still help and advice available online and over the phone. These local and national organisations are working hard to ensure they can still support you.
If you are concerned that your behavior may be causing harm
Supporting employees experiencing domestic abuse
The Government has put together a Domestic Abuse Guide for Employers to help them support members of staff who are or may be experiencing domestic abuse.
Hampshire Constabulary has seen a small number of incidents reported linked to speculation and prejudice as a result of the coronavirus outbreak – and local Chinese communities may be feeling more fearful of being victims of crime.
We would wish to reassure all communities that any crime perpetrated through ignorance, prejudice or hate is not acceptable and the police will do all it can to stop this type of crime.
If you are being targeted for who you are, or know someone who is, please report it.
If you don’t want to report to the police, you can contact a Third Party Reporting Centre (TPRC) for advice, support and help with reporting. With many of the TPRC offices now closed and only working remotely, the following options are still available:
Members of our Chinese communities are encouraged to contact the Southampton Chinese Association or the Portsmouth Chinese Association for support with reporting.
You can also download a reporting form in Mandarin from True Vision.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis and need urgent mental health support, call 111 or visit www.111.nhs.uk and speak to the NHS Mental Health Triage Service.
The NHS 111 Mental Health Triage Service provides advice, support and guidance, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for anyone living in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Advisers have a wide range of skills, including on the phone brief psychological support, and have access to key services and organisations that can offer mental health support to people in their time of need.
This service can also be also used by GPs and other healthcare professionals, the emergency services, mental health charities and any other organisations that come into contact with people experiencing a mental health crisis.
The Mental Health Triage Service can be accessed by phone by dialling 111 and online at www.111.nhs.uk.
If you are experiencing a life threatening emergency, please call 999.
COUNTY AND UNITARY AUTHORITIES
Hampshire
The Coronavirus Hampshire Helpline is available to provide information and advice, as well as practical support to frail or vulnerable Hampshire residents, and can be contacted on 0333 370 4000.
The helpline is available 7 days a week, from 9am to 5pm, and is for vulnerable people who do not have support from families, friends or their local community, and who need urgent assistance with practical issues.
Isle of Wight
A helpline has been set up to support the most vulnerable residents affected by coronavirus self-isolation measures. You can call 01983 823 600 between 9am and 5pm, 7 days a week.
This phone number is for anyone who:
Isle of Wight Council and voluntary networks have worked together to provide this helpline to ensure those that need assistance are supported.
Portsmouth
If you need information or advice about services in Portsmouth, or you need some additional help because you are unable to go out because of coronavirus, you’ll find all the latest information on their website, including details of which services are closed.
For anyone who doesn’t have access to the internet there is a phone line available – 023 9268 8004 with a recorded message with all the latest information. People can also call this number if they need additional support, such as with getting shopping or prescriptions.
Southampton
Southampton City Council have launched a Community Support Hub to ensure access to support for vulnerable people. The service will prioritise those in critical need who have received a letter from NHS England stating they are in a priority group and are unable to rely on family or friends for adequate practical support.
Please call them on 023 8083 4800, or visit their ‘I need help’ page to contact them via webchat or fill in the online form.
DISTRICT AND BOROUGH AUTHORITIES
Not all district and borough authorities have organised local support, but those that have are listed here. If your local authority is not listed here, please use the Hampshire County Council support line above.
If you are self-isolating because you are at a higher risk from coronavirus, we can help to connect you to the network of community volunteers. They can help with the collection and delivery of essential items, like food and prescription medicines, and also connect you (remotely) with someone if you just need a person to talk to.
The Council is aware of the growing concerns that face the community at this time. We understand this may be a challenging time for many, in particular those that are needing to self-isolate. If you are self-isolating because you are at a higher risk from coronavirus, we can help to connect you to the network of community volunteers. Additionally, community groups in this area are also offering services and support.
Gosport Voluntary Action and Gosport Borough Council are working together to co-ordinate a community response to COVID-19. We are working with key local partners so that we have a co-ordinated effort across our borough to organise volunteers and support those who need help. You can access support by visiting www.gva.org.uk/coronavirus or by phoning the Community Helpline 02392 545588 (lines open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)
Unity have been working with Test Valley Borough Council to build a list of local community groups that are helping those who are self isolating due to Covid-19 and require additional support. These groups can assist with a range of requests, from shopping and prescription collections to befriending.
Volunteering
Sign up to be an NHS Volunteer Responder (not currently accepting applications)
Basingstoke: If you would like to volunteer, are thinking about starting a group in your area or have already done so, please visit www.bvaction.org.uk/coronavirus-volunteering or call 01256 423852 to register your group and find contact details for accessing guidance and support.
East Hampshire: The work to support the community’s most vulnerable people will require a huge effort. It will be co-ordinated through East Hampshire District Council and local voluntary groups but it will rely on the support of local volunteers to work. If you would like to volunteer to help during the coronavirus pandemic, please visit the Volunteer Wessex website.
Gosport: Gosport Voluntary Action and Gosport Borough Council are working together to co-ordinate a community response to COVID-19. If you would like to volunteer or are an organisation that can offer support or services, please visit www.gva.org.uk/coronavirus.
Hart: Hart District Council, Hart Voluntary Action and Hampshire County Council are working together to co-ordinate efforts across our area to organise volunteers for those who need help. Applications are being processed and the online application is currently suspended.
Havant: If you would like to volunteer to help during the coronavirus pandemic, please visit the Volunteer Wessex website.
Rushmoor: If you would like to volunteer locally, you can register your details on the Rushmoor Voluntary Services website.
Winchester: Community First is the Council for Voluntary Service and is matching volunteers with organisations that need assistance. Register using the volunteering website. Alternatively, you can use the Mutual aid website to find activities in your local area that might welcome volunteer assistance.
On 9 September, the government announced upcoming changes to simplify restrictions and ensure the virus is controlled.
These new restrictions take effect from 14 September. They are set out in the law, and the police and other enforcement officers are able to issue penalties to those that don’t comply. These regulations expire after 6 months.
No person may participate in a gathering which consists of more than six persons either indoors or outdoors. This includes:
A gathering may be permitted where it is reasonably necessary:
Engage, explain, encourage and enforce
The Police and Crime Commissioner wishes to reassure members of the public that “policing’s first action will be to engage, explain and encourage those creating risk to return home, obey social distancing and not to congregate. Ultimately if this does not create the right response, the additional powers are welcome options to have.”
Police officers have been engaging with the public and explaining that following the regulations helps to prevent the spread of the virus and save lives. The efforts of the public mean police officers have rarely had to enforce the Government regulations. They are confident the vast majority will continue to do their bit and follow guidance in this next stage.
Personal responsibility is now key – for those who are able to leave their homes as a result of the changes, think carefully about where you are going and how you will be able to keep your distance from others. Keep in mind the purpose of the regulations and the national effort to protect the NHS and save lives.
They enforce the law and not government guidance, so have no role in enforcing social distancing, wearing of masks or avoiding public transport.
Police still have a role where people are gathering in large groups with those not in their household as this is not legally permitted in the regulations.
The police will apply the law in a system that is flexible, discretionary and pragmatic. This will enable officers to make sensible decisions and employ their judgement. Enforcement should be a last resort.
If members of the public do not comply the police may:
If you need to get in touch with the police, there are lots of options.
Leaflet
Hampshire Constabulary have produced this leaflet, which provides contact details for various support organisations. It’s also available in black and white to be easily printed.
Online
Hampshire Constabulary’s website allows you to access lots of services, including reporting crimes. If you can do this, it keeps other resources free for those in need, or who can’t get online.
By email
If you need to speak to your local policing team, please email them in the first instance. You can look up your local team via the police.uk website, and their page includes the email address you need.
By telephone
If you can’t get online or email, you can contact Hampshire Constabulary using the 101 non-emergency line. Only call 999 in an emergency when there is immediate danger to life or a crime in progress.
In person
You can speak to the police at a front counter location at one of the four Police Investigation Centre locations: Southampton, Basingstoke, Portsmouth, or Newport. Please do not come to a police location if you have symptoms of the coronavirus, or if you suspect you have been in contact with someone else who may have the virus.
