Covid wardens have taken to streets of Kirklees to present what is being described as “a visible presence” to check that businesses are Covid safe.

They are currently making 100 visits per day – and that includes every place of worship in the borough to ensure the safety of worshippers and congregations.

Kirklees Council already had 16 dedicated staff – known as Covid Community Support Officers, or CSSOs – on its books.

They have been boosted by a further 14 this week, and numbers are set to increase by 13 more at the end of the month taking the total up to 43.

The CSSOs’ role involves them being out and about in local communities, providing “reassurance and advice” to residents and supporting essential businesses to ensure they are Covid secure.

The council has not revealed whether CSSOs have any enforcement powers or what action that might take if businesses or place of worship are not following Covid guidelines.

Senior councillor Paul Davies, who sits on the decision-making Cabinet, said recruiting more CSSOs was “significant”.

He added: “As we begin to see non-essential shops and the hospitality sector open once again it’s vital that we have the resources in place to support those businesses so that they can operate to the best of their ability while keeping our residents safe.”

He said CSSOs that had been active in recent weeks had been “welcomed” and that the council was “thankful”  for the cooperation it had received from the majority of local businesses.

Possible breaches of Covid regulations can be reported to the council via: covid-secure.enquiries@kirklees.gov.uk