Letter: Shoppers ignoring face coverings in Peterborough

There are signs stating that face masks must be worn. The areas where masks should be worn include the concourse within the shopping centre, as well as the shops.

The offenders include a wide range of people but are particularly prevalent in groups of older teenage girls. They seem oblivious to the seriousness of their actions, many more concerned with using their mobile phones.

This is particularly worrying for people like myself who are in their seventies and have underlying health issues.

These offenders may feel they are impervious to infection. However, people like myself fear we are one step away from catching and probably dying of this dreadful disease.

I cannot, in all conscience, see myself visiting the shopping centre in the near future.

I spoke to Peterborough City Council and they don’t believe they have any responsibility in spite of the public health aspect.

I then reported the incidents to the police through dialling 101. The response was that they are stretched having to deal with so many issues.

The implication is mask wearing appears to be very low on their list of priorities.

I requested that the responder, at least, alerts patrols in Peterborough city centre but she was not prepared to do so. She said officers there would be aware of these incidents even though obviously she wasn’t.

I felt she did not take my complaint seriously.

I was not aware of the police patrolling the Queensgate shopping centre. I didn’t see any.

John Eastlake

Peterborough