MERSEYSIDE Police Chief Constable Andy Cooke has issued a message to residents about how the force intends to help "keep communities safe" during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Chief Constable, who has now fully recovered after he had tested positive for coronavirus, released a video in which he addressed communities.

He had been leading the force from home while in isolation but has now returned to work.

The Chief Constable said the key was to work with people to "keep each other safe" and moved to reassure people that those doing the right thing have "no reason to be concerned" about new legislation which has given the force powers to enforce protection.

Anyone continuing to break coronavirus lockdown rules will be breaking the law and faces arrest.

People ignoring tougher restrictions on movement could be hit with a £60 fine initially and another for £120 for a second offence.

It is understood Merseyside Police at this stage have been adopting an engage, explain and encourage approach in which enforcement would be the last approach.

In the video, the Chief Constable also asked people to work with the police to "work together with the police" to help protect people, especially the most vulnerable.

He said: "Hello everyone, I just wanted to do a very short message about the coming weeks and months and what that means for our communities and for policing and how we intend to ensure that we keep our communities safe. Really difficult times for everyone at the moment.

"We've got new legislation coming in from the government which will be enacted over the next couple of days - but the key issue for me in all this is that policing has got to work with our communities to keep each other safe.

"This isn't about powers, this isn't about legislating to actually enforce people to do things. I know the vast majority of the people of Merseyside will do the right thing. They will look after each other, they will act as one big community, looking after the most vulnerable people that we have living alongside us.

"Helping in any way that we can. We will see streams of volunteers come forward including police officers and ex-police officers.

"I want to reassure you that if you're doing the right thing, you have no reason to be concerned about any new legislation that's coming in.

"We will speak to people; we will use our discretion; we will use our powers of convincing people to do the right things. But can I ask you, please work together with us on this - only phone the police if you really need to phone the police.

"Don't phone up for advice, if you need advice go to gov.uk, go to one of the other excellent websites where you can get the right advice that you will need.

"Leave the police lines clear for people who need police attendance. Can I also ask - let's stop being selfish - let's do the right things alongside each other.

"Let's consider the more vulnerable people in our society and how we can look after them. That might mean, for the next few weeks, or months, we have to change what we do ourselves for the greater good."

He added: "Let's make that change, let's work hand in hand to keep people safe, particularly those most vulnerable people.

"Think about your own families, think about the people you have in your families, who are older, who have underlying conditions.

"Let's make sure we keep them as safe as possible by all of us doing the right things and following that government message.

"Merseyside Police are here to protect you and look after you. We will do all we can over the coming weeks, and months, to make sure you're safe.

"Please work with us, let's keep Merseyside a safe place to work, live and visit."