The police have been severely let down by the government over its confusing lockdown plans

The principle of policing by consent is at risk as we face the easing of some restrictions this week

Along with all our key workers, the police have been going above and beyond the call of duty during this pandemic, putting themselves at risk every day as they help to police the lockdown.

The coronavirus has led to the biggest change to civil liberties in our country for generations, and in these unprecedented times policing by consent is more important than ever.

At the start of lockdown there were challenges, in part because of the speed with which the new measures had to be introduced, but also due to mixed messages from the government. However, the low number of fines issued so far – just 0.02 per cent of the population – has demonstrated widespread public compliance to a greater extent than had been predicted.

But that principle of policing by consent is at risk as we face the easing of some restrictions this week.

The lack of clarity we have seen from government has had a damaging effect. Days of anonymous briefings from government “sources” led many people to assume lockdown had been eased and headed out to enjoy the good weather.

Police in one area warned they were “fighting a losing battle” as hundreds visited a nearby park.

Prime minister Boris Johnson’s address on easing lockdown raised more questions than answers. This confusion was compounded by ministers appearing in the media on Monday setting out inaccurate details about easing the lockdown, which then had to be corrected later in the day.

And the 60-page document released by the government setting out the roadmap to ending lockdown does not even mention the police once.

Those representing rank-and-file officers warned this lack of clarity put officers in an impossible position, with the Police Federation calling for “clear and unambiguous messaging and guidance, explaining what exactly is expected of the public”.

The situation has been further complicated by the fact that forces in England and Wales have had to enforce slightly different regulations, leading to a small number of errors.

There is also concern among figures in the senior ranks of policing that these changes were not discussed with them in advance. We must ask, why were journalists briefed about the prime minister’s plans before the police?

Labour will continue to work constructively with the government to ensure the best possible response to this crisis. That is why we are calling on ministers to urgently provide more certainty, both to the police and the public, on what people can do under the changes announced this week.

We all must play our part. There will always be situations that test the boundaries of what is inside or outside the law, but in these unprecedented times policing by consent is more important than ever.

That consent can only come from a clear understanding from the public and the police about what is expected of them.

Sarah Jones is the Labour MP for Croydon Central and shadow minister for policing and fire service.