Licensees and drinkers are being urged to 'act responsibly' when pubs and clubs are eventually allowed to open their doors again.

Leicestershire Police has made the appeal today (Fri) in anticipation of the eventual further relaxation of coronavirus lockdown rules.

The force highlights that one of the most noticeable changes for police during the past few months has been that officers normally deployed to police 'the night time economy' have been able to deal more with other crime and concerns affecting communities - and not incidents of violence and disorder as a result of excessive alcohol consumption on a night out.

While it welcomes licensees being able to open their businesses when it is deemed safe to do so, work continues to ensure this is done in a safe and responsible way in the interests of business owners, staff, customers and residents - and to allow the police focus on other community concerns to continue.

When restrictions are lifted, the force says it will also continue its work to remind pub and club-goers to drink responsibly and to look after themselves and others when they are out.

Chief Constable Simon Cole said: "We work closely with licensees and have a good working relationship with many.

"This work has continued throughout the lockdown period and will continue as restrictions are eased.

"As we come through this difficult period, many licensed premises will be looking to re-open their doors as soon as they are allowed.

"We support this but we also know and are prepared that this will result in increased demand on the police service.

"We do ask that people - including both business owners and visitors to the premises - therefore reflect on the last few months and act responsibly when this happens.

"The last few months have shown that with less demand to officers from the night-time economy, this allows us to focus more on communities and the issues affecting them.

"Going forward, we all need to work together to allow this to continue to happen and, of course, to keep everyone involved in the night-time economy safe.

"This includes business owners and staff, people who are visiting the premises and all our emergency service colleagues who are simply carrying out their jobs to look after people and protect them from harm.

"Our colleagues in the ambulance service and accident and emergency departments across the force area will just be coming through an extremely difficult time due to Covid-19 and we need to ensure as a community we don't add any unnecessary burden on them and help them recover.

"For now, we ask that everyone continues to comply by the restrictions and social distancing rules which are there to keep you safe and to protect the NHS.

"In return our officers will continue to engage with you and to explain and encourage in relation to the guidelines with enforcement measures only being used as a last resort.

"Our thanks goes to the many licensees who have shown their support during what has been a very difficult time and we look forward to our continued working together in the future."