Richmond residents may soon notice an increased police presence on the riverside towpath.

Under current coronavirus guidelines, with the country in a national lockdown, residents have been told to keep their interactions with people outside their household and support bubble to a minimum.

Many hospitals are operating at far beyond safe levels and record numbers of positive covid tests have been recorded in the first few days of 2021.

This means there will likely be an even greater demand for hospital care in the coming weeks. On Friday a major incident was declared by the Mayor of London.

The UK's chief medical officer Chris Whitty pleaded with the public on Sunday.

"The advice right now is unambiguous: to drive the numbers down, we must stay home except for work, exercise and essential activities," he said in the Sunday Times.

"Every unnecessary interaction you have could be the link in a chain of transmission that has a vulnerable person at the end."

As a result, forces across the UK have stepped up their proactive policing.

South Richmond Police said: "It's been brought to our attention some people aren't adhering to the Covid-19 regulations on the towpaths and outside Gauchos.

"We shall be increasing our patrols at the locations.

"Please report such breaches by calling 101 or via the link."