An officer working with Croydon Met Police service returned to work four days after testing positive for coronavirus, a source close to one of the service's officers has claimed.
The Met however told the Croydon Guardian the officer in question had strictly followed government guidelines regarding the 10-day self isolation period.
According to the source, who wished to remain anonymous, an officer working with the Met's Safer Transport Team in Croydon tested positive for Covid-19 on Friday (December 11) and returned to work on Tuesday (December 15).
In response, a spokesperson for the Met Police hit back at claims they had not acted appropriately and insisted that the officer in question "followed government guidelines" on the 10-day isolation period, suggesting that their isolation period had come to an end and they were therefore cleared to work.
Latest from @PHE_uk
— Croydon MPS (@MPSCroydon) December 14, 2020
From today, the self-isolation period for contacts of positive #COVID19 cases will be 10 days.
This also applies to those arriving from countries not on the travel corridor list.
Read the guidance: https://t.co/YBvUScdF65 pic.twitter.com/dJ3Hcf5ONw
However the source, who is a close relation to an officer serving with Croydon MPS, expressed serious concerns about the force's internal handling of coronavirus.
"They are putting people’s lives and families at risk. They have no care and consideration over this," they told the Croydon Guardian.
When asked whether this was the only incident of Met Police officers not acting appropriately regarding coronavirus rules, they added:
"No. In general, that joint operation with the Transport for London team, they were all driving round in mini buses, no PPE, no masks on.
"You've got groups of up to 16 people mixing. No enforcement of masks, no provision of PPE," they said.
London is now in Tier 3.
— PHE London region (@PHE_London) December 16, 2020
➡️Only spend time indoors with those you live with
➡️Only meet others outside in groups of up to 6, in public spaces
➡️Reduce the journeys you make and avoid travelling outside of London if possible
➡️Wear a face covering and remember Hands. Face. Space pic.twitter.com/1xi6LTlh1o
The Met Police spokesperson vehemently denied any wrongdoing in the specific case and their internal approach to coronavirus more generally.
In a statement addressing the concerns raised by the source, they said:
"Since the outbreak of Coronavirus earlier this year, the Met has taken delivery of millions of pieces of PPE including face masks, hand sanitiser and gloves. These supplies have been shared with teams across London, who continue to be highly visible in communities, keeping Londoners safe.
"Officers throughout the Met have responded admirably to the challenges of Coronavirus, often putting their own health at risk in responding to acts of violence, breaches of the Coronavirus regulations or providing a reassuring presence in London’s communities.
"The Met has also adopted robust policies to ensure that officers and staff who test positive for Coronavirus are properly supported and adhere to Government guidelines on self-isolation."
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