Dozens of West Midlands police officers test positive for coronavirus

A total of 101 officers have been confirmed as having the virus during the pandemic, with the most for a single month coming during October.

There were 29 positive tests in April during the first wave of the virus and six in the following three months as cases dropped after the original lockdown.

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There was then a spike, in line with the national picture, with 10 cases in August and 24 in September. As of October 15, there were 32 meaning there have likely been further cases over the last four weeks.

Another 13 PSCOs and four volunteer Special Constables also tested positive for Covid along with 27 police staff, figures released under the Freedom of Information Act showed.

Officers are particularly at risk of catching Covid as they have to deal with the public.

Chiefs have previously raised concerns forces could face added pressures from having a large number of the workforce off sick or self-isolating as a result of coronavirus.

But up to now, numbers having to take time away have remained relatively small.

Senior officers have also warned it will be difficult for police to ensure people are complying with the second lockdown, with pre-pandemic levels returning towards normal.

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson caused a stir last month when he suggested officers would break up Christmas dinners if families were flouting the rules, even though critics later pointed out they would not have the power to do this.

In an interview with the Express & Star this week, Mr Jamieson reiterated following the lockdown rules now would give people the best chance of enjoying as normal Christmas as possible.

He said: "I’m hoping that we’re out of lockdown by Christmas and we can all get on with our lives and enjoy things but I think the reality is we may not be. All of us, we have to actually follow the rules in the next few weeks."