Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion has commended the innovation and community spirit of local gin producers in turning their hand to making much needed hand sanitiser.
As the Covid-19 pandemic was emerging, the PCC made direct contact with several gin distillers within West Mercia to ask if they were able to step up to change production to hand sanitiser to provide frontline officers with much needed protection. To his delight some were already exploring this possibility.
Herefordshire-based Chase Distillery Ltd and Worcestershire-based Piston Gin offered to produce hand sanitiser to enable West Mercia Police to carry out their roles among communities safely. The Government making recent temporary changes to the use and supply of denatured alcohol and duty-free spirits allowed this to happen.
PCC John Campion said: “At a time when protective equipment is key to our emergency services carrying out their vital roles, I reached out to local gin producers to see if they could help. This is just another great example of communities coming together to support others and doing the right thing at a time when it’s so needed.
“During this pandemic, many companies have shown real innovation. I would like to thank the two producers for utilising the equipment and skills they have to support their local police force so generously, which ultimately protects all the communities they serve.”
West Mercia Police has been fully linked with national efforts to supply personal protective equipment (PPE) to its frontline, with innovative ways of doing this to ensure officers have what they need over what is likely to be an extended public health emergency.
Deputy Chief Constable, Julian Moss, said: “We are really pleased to be working with the PCC and local suppliers in a creative way to ensure our officers and staff are protected during this challenging time.
“We are doing everything we can to ensure we have all of the necessary PPE across the force and I would like to thank these local businesses for their innovative approach in helping to support us and their communities.”
Issued on: Friday 3rd April
