FOI 53518
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 53518
I write in connection with your request for information which was received on 18th January 2021. Please find below the response to your request:
The UK government guidelines for face mask exemptions states a person does not need to carry or provide proof of exemption while out shopping and that the wearing of a lanyard or carrying of a card would be a personal choice and not a requirement. However, recent news events and also statements from the Police Federation point to police exceeding these guidelines by demanding proof on the spot in a public place for all to hear and, should no proof be forthcoming, marching the person out of the shop on threat of a fine. Can you please state what West Mercia Police guidelines are and, if they differ to the government guidelines, which ones are now the law: parliamentary laws or police laws? If West Mercia Police will now start to demand on-the-spot proof of exemption, what are the guidelines for acceptable proof? Given it's not possible to get an exemption letter from a GP, how is a person to prove exemption? How is, for example, a rape victim supposed to prove they find wearing a face mask distressing having once had their mouth smothered? If your guidelines are in-keeping with the government's guidelines, could you please make a public announcement so that all people who are medically exempt can continue to go shopping, free of the added anxiety of being accosted, fined and escorted out of shops like criminals before someone commits suicide?
Reply:-
West Mercia Police act according to national regulations set out for all forces issued by the NPCC and the College of policing and follow the four Es approach of Engage, Explain, Encourage and Enforce.
Officers are regularly reminded that not every disability is visible and where a member of the public needs more support or cannot wear a face covering, they should engage with them whilst being sensitive to an individual’s confidentiality and circumstances. Ensuring officers are aware that those with exemptions do not need to provide an exemption certificate or wear a lanyard.