
Police detain a demonstrator during an anti-lockdown 'Unite for Freedom' protest, in London, Britain on April 24, 2021.
On April 26, the UK government published a tender in search of 60 new "covid marshals" in the district of Hertfordshire. The contract, offered to "public security, law and order [and] compulsory social security services" providers, is set to run July 2021-January 2022, and cost £3 million.
Marshals were introduced in October 2020 to help businesses manage queues, ensure adherence with social distancing measures, remind people to wear face coverings where necessary, and regularly clean frequently-touched surfaces. As Britain's state broadcaster has acknowledged, though, they don't actually have any legal mandate to enforce rules. Officials merely "hoped" they'd make life at least slightly easier for those authorities - such as police - actually invested with such powers.
Comment: Their actions may not be legal but that doesn't stop them trying to punish people: Third of UK's lockdown charges dropped, court rules citizens not obliged to give details to police














Comment: See also: 'Lockdown, not vaccine, is reason for drop in coronavirus cases and deaths' - Boris Johnson