DOZENS of businesses in Greater Manchester including pubs are defying the Government's order to shut down and police are being sent to large gatherings which are forbidden in the fight to stop the spread of coronavirus.

In a press conference on Wednesday, deputy mayor for policing and crime Beverley Hughes said it was discovered on Tuesday that 64 businesses "that shouldn't be trading" were still running.

And officers were called to the scene of 24 large gatherings.

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Baroness Hughes said: "Some were pubs and some were retail outlets.

“In relation to any pubs and shops outlets that are still open, they will be visited and insisting on closure.

“We really hope if we can be stronger and the government can be stronger in its messaging then the numbers will diminish.

“We really need the public’s cooperation here.

"If the police have to put in a lot of resources into people staying at home, the messaging needs to be stronger and if it is, then the number of incidents police need to respond to will be less and less."

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has made its position clear on dealing with businesses that flout the law.

A force spokesman said: "GMP’s stance towards any pubs or non-essential shops that remain open during this period of lockdown regulation is that:

  • Police will support environmental health and trading standards officers when enforcing regulations requiring businesses such as pubs to close.
  • Environmental health and trading standards can issue prohibition notices where businesses do not follow these restrictions.

"In addition, businesses who fail to comply can also receive fines.

"Continued non-compliance could then lead to the loss of alcohol licenses.

"Under the business closure regulations introduced on 21 March 2020, officers will have powers to prosecute for breach of regulations.

"This is in line with national guidelines."

Baroness Hughes also said there has not been a change to the response to emergency calls but non-urgent calls have been affected by sickness.

She said: “The 999 calls are about ‘business as usual’ levels and are being answered at an average of 7 seconds at the moment.

"That is is amazingly good and it is thanks to the staff working so hard to continue the level of service that we want to provide.

"The 101 non-urgent calls are 'business as usual' levels also.

"The time it takes to answer those is being affected.

"Sickness absence as a result of isolation and caring as well as normal sickness levels is affecting that part of Greater Manchester Police at the moment."

Baroness Hughes added that the chat facility on GMP's website is being used more and she is encouraging the public to continue doing that as it is easier for the force to manage.