POLICE and council officials have visited nearly 40 supermarkets and shops following complaints about compliance with Covid-19 regulations.

They joined forces for a targeted week-long operation in the BCP area and have contacted the head offices of those who could not resolve issues on the day.

Although many were operating safely, a number of issues were identified.

Council officers worked with the businesses to provide advice on issues such as congestion on the shop floor or shop entrances, displaying correct signage and providing gloves for customers to take unwrapped food products, roping off non-essential products and putting in place security staff on the door to ensure customers were adhering to the safety restrictions.

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A total of 37 premises were visited following "a large number" of complaints from the public about the safe operation of large retailers.

The visits were carried out by BCP Council’s trading standards officers, environmental health officers, Covid marshals and Dorset Police .

They also checked whether members of the public were adhering to the rules.

A spokesman for BCP Council said: "A large proportion of the businesses visited were found to be operating safely and had good measures in place. These included good sanitation, correct safety signage, limit of customer numbers entering the premises at one time and employees using the correct personal protection equipment.

"Where issues were identified, council officers worked with the businesses to provide advice. Where issues could not be resolved on the day, they have been escalated up to the business head office."

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Councillor May Haines, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, BCP Council, said: "Now, more than ever, it is so important that both businesses and customers play their part to help keep everyone safe during the pandemic. I would like to thank local residents and businesses for acting responsibly and following the necessary restrictions that are in place.

"The latest joint targeted visits to the large supermarkets and mixed retailers have been welcomed with the majority of businesses found to be complying or who have responded positively to advice provided by our officers to put in place the necessary safety measures.

"I hope that the joint presence of council and police patrols has offered reassurance to the public that we are responding to complaints and we will do all we can to ensure our communities are kept safe."

Superintendent Heather Dixey, of Dorset Police, said: "Our remit was not to carry out enforcement, but to help support our businesses and partner agencies.

“We were really pleased to see an extremely high level of compliance with shoppers. The response and feedback from the public and stores about this joint activity was also very positive."

Residents have been advised to remember the hands - face - space message, to shop infrequently and to shop alone where possible. Only touch items you are going to buy and pay by card where possible.

If you are clinically extremely vulnerable or shielding and can’t get delivery slots or support with shopping, call our Together We Can helpline on 0300 123 7052.