Leicestershire Police's chief constable is warning officers will enforce the tougher social gathering restrictions if residents do not follow the Government's new 'rule of six'.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that from Monday (14 Sept) social gatherings of more than six people will be unlawful.

The new lower limit will enable police to identify and disperse illegal gatherings.

The restrictions will apply across England, to all ages, to gatherings indoors and outdoors, in private homes, public outdoor spaces and venues such as pubs and restaurants.

Failure to comply with a Leicestershire Police officer's efforts to engage, explain and encourage will result in the enforcement of a £100 fine.

This will double on each further repeat offence up to £3,200.

Chief Constable Simon Cole spoke with the Prime Minister last week, in a zoom meeting with other forces, about how the rules could be clarified.

He said: "All across the force area we have seen people from all communities pulling together to combat this dreadful illness.

"We will continue to work with our local communities and our partners - but we will enforce if people are not engaging with us and dispersing.

"Leicester City, the county and Rutland have done so well recently to bring the numbers of infection down, but we must all do everything we can to make sure they do not rise again."

Legal exemptions still apply to certain gatherings, for example where a household or support bubble is larger than six, where gatherings are for work or education purposes, or where parenting is being shared across multiple households.

Covid-secure weddings, funerals and organised team sports will also be exempt.

The Government is releasing a new public information campaign tomorrow to highlight how everyone can help stop the spread of the virus by remembering to wash their hands, cover their face and make space.

'Hands. Face. Space' will run across television, radio, print, social and digital display advertising, with a new video being released to show exactly how coronavirus spreads indoors.

With people expected to spend more time inside during the winter, the film - produced with the help of scientific experts - encourages the public to follow simple steps to reduce the risk of infection.