Russell Brand and football stars record messages telling east Londoners to wear masks and social distance

Barking and Dagenham is one of only two areas in the city seeing a fall in cases in the seven days to October 5

Blasting Covid-19 social distancing messages from Russell Brand and football stars through the streets by tannoy may be helping one borough to stem the rising tide of cases in London.

Barking and Dagenham is one of only two areas in the city seeing a fall in cases in the seven days to October 5, compared to a week earlier, down from 135 cases to 131.

Council leader Darren Rodwell is convinced the tannoy messaging on coronavirus rules has filtered through to the public and that explains the relative success of the borough in keeping infection levels in check.

Most boroughs are seeing significant rises in cases, which is partly due to more testing.

Barking and Dagenham council has been dispatching four vehicles around the borough with messages reminding people of the importance of washing hands, social distancing and wearing masks.

Some of the messages were recorded by the likes of Russell Brand and footballers Mark Noble and Bobby Zamora. All have connections with the area and hail from East London.

Cllr Rodwell said: “The tannoy vehicles are based on an ice cream van.

“The ice cream van music is so recognisable everyone knows what it is.

“It’s the same with our vans - people maybe don’t listen to the messages in detail every time but they know what it’s about. It’s been highly effective. We used the voices of famous people with a connection with the area, which was brilliant.”

He says that he has made regular appeals via social media for residents to follow the rules while cracking down on businesses breaking the law.

Colin Speller, one of the drivers of the tannoy vans said: “People are ninety nine per cent supportive. I think it really gets the message across and I am proud of doing my bit.”

Mother of five Clare Heatley was passing the tannoy van as the alert messages were blasted out.

She said: “I think it’s a good thing. We have also been getting leaflets through the door from the council. The communication has been good.”

Mekdes Mehari, 25, said: “Some people ignore the warnings - what the council is doing is the right course.”

The council has also closed down eight businesses including bars, restaurants and clubs failing to abide by Covid legislation. It has also ensured that pubs and restaurants close on the dot of 10pm or else face action from the council.

He said: “We are using our powers and cracking down hard on those breaking the law but we would like more local enforcement power.”

“We can’t fine people for not wearing masks when they are required. We can fine them for littering but not for that. It’s ridiculous, the government needs to give local authorities more power. They are happy to bring in the army but they should realise they have a ready made army of workers at town halls across the country. They should use us.”

The council also had a bust-up with the Government after it issued warning notices to four retailers, Sainsbury’s, Lidl, Morrisons and B&M homeware stores, after their staff were reportedly seen failing to enforce mask-wearing and social distancing by customers.

The Business Department told the town hall it did not have powers to take such action under Covid legislation.

Retailers do not legally have to enforce mask wearing or social distancing.

Havering is the second borough seeing cases down in the week to October 5, to 163 from 166, with a strong focus on public health messaging.

Council leader Damian White said: “Data from local police shows that the message is getting through and people in Havering are generally following the rules more than in neighbouring boroughs. This is good news but we are far from complacent. This is a virus which doesn’t care about geographical borders – so as cases continue to rise more widely – we know we must all continue to work as a community to keep Havering safe.”

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