Police unions campaigning for a new pay and conditions agreement have urged police officers not to issue fines to clubs and cafes which open on Saturday in defiance of the coronavirus rules.

The unions are calling on members to be as ‘passive as possible’ when patrolling the streets in the evening and have urged council wardens to show their support as well.

Dozens of clubs and cafes plan to open past 10pm on Saturday in a civil disobedience campaign to show their frustration at the lack of perspective they face because of the ongoing coronavirus measures.

The four police unions have issued a joint statement saying that ‘this weekend, police officers will focus on their primary roles as providers of help and services to ordinary citizens.’

This means that people caught speeding or without a light on their bikes are likely to face a warning rather than a fine.

Officers will intervene in emergency situations, the unions say.

The unions are campaigning for a better pay and conditions agreement and will announce an escalation of their efforts next week, the statement said.