Police have said they will be taking a fair approach when enforcing lockdown rules over the festive period. 

The Watford Observer asked Hertfordshire Constabulary about its stance after West Midlands crime commissioner David Jamieson vowed this week that his officers will investigate large Christmas gatherings.

The force said it will continue to police the regulations that are in place as it has done throughout the pandemic, which they said is "sensibly, fairly and proportionately".

But other forces such as Essex Police pointed to the statement by the National Police Chiefs' Council which was made on the behalf of policing.

The council said the police's approach is that officers should encourage people to follow the rules in the first instance and enforce at a last resort.

The council added: "The police’s approach remains to engage, explain and encourage people to follow the rules in the first instance and enforce as a last resort, where there are clear breach of rules taking place."

The Mirror reported this week that Mr Jamieson said that if there are big groups of people gathering where they shouldn't be then officers will have to intervene.

He told the Telegraph: "It’s not the police’s job to stop people enjoying their Christmas.

"However, we are there to enforce the rules that the Government makes, and if the Government makes those rules then the Government has to explain that to the public."