A government cash boost may pay for council Covid marshals, Wiltshire’s police and crime commissioner said.

The Home Office has announced a £30m investment for police forces and councils nationwide to help enforce coronavirus lockdown rules.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “This extra funding will strengthen the police’s role in enforcing the law and make sure that those who jeopardise public health face the consequences.”

Welcoming the new cash pot, Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon Angus Macpherson said: “This funding acknowledges that up until now police forces have been expected to take on this extra role while coping with the current high levels of demand on the service.

“The additional funding to the local authorities will hopefully mean they will be able to fulfil their licensing functions more effectively meaning officers will not have to spend as much time policing the 10pm curfew and will allow them to focus on an enhanced policing response to associated criminality such as anti-social behaviour and large gatherings which are a flagrant breach of the rules.”

He added: “Although any funding is always welcome, the public should be aware that this money will not magically allow us to recruit more police officers.”

The recruitment of Covid marshals by Wiltshire and Swindon councils would relieve pressure on police, Mr Macpherson said.