More police officers expected on the streets ahead of busy weekend as restrictions ease

Residents are being reminded to 'stay safe' by police ahead of what is expected to be a busy weekend as lockdown restrictions ease.

As pubs and restaurants open fully this weekend for the first time in months police are urging wariness and are also adding extra officers to the streets in anticipation.

Warwickshire Police officers are also reminding pub-goers that they will continue to police Covid legislation including the rule of six, and restrictions around larger gatherings in private homes.

Superintendent Mike Smith of Warwickshire's community policing unit said: "This weekend we take another very welcome step back to normality and understandably people will be looking to enjoy their hard won new freedoms.

"As a country and a county we have been through so much over the past year or so, so if you are going out this weekend I urge you to stay safe, stay in control and look out for your friends.

"It is important to remember there are still cases of Covid in the community, including a number of cases of the Indian variant in the north of the county, and this presents a real risk.

"We will have extra officers on duty at peak times this weekend to help keep people safe. As we have throughout the pandemic we will continue to engage with our communities, explain the law and encourage compliance. We will not hesitate to use enforcement when people are breaching Covid legislations or committing other offences."