Almost two dozen police officers in Cornwall and Devon have tested positive for coronavirus in the past month, the force has confirmed.

The new figures show that 21 officers in Devon and Cornwall Police either have been or are currently self-isolating after being confirmed as having Covid-19.

The figures relate to the 28 days leading up to October 27.

A spokesperson for the force said that full test and trace procedures were in place to ensure that anyone who had been in contacted with the officers were alerted and given advice.

And the force has stressed that frontline policing had not been affected by the positive test results.

Read next: Coronavirus in Cornwall round up: Sunday, November 1

A police spokesperson said: “In the last four weeks there have been 21 confirmed cases of Covid-19 among police officers and staff across Devon and Cornwall and as a result, these have or are currently self-isolating.

“This is in line with government guidelines and a full test and trace procedure is in place to ensure all those staff in contact with the individual(s) can be appropriately managed and cared for.

“Public Health England has been made aware and are continuing to liaise with senior managers locally to offer expert advice.

“Resources are being managed to maintain frontline delivery of policing services but this has not been compromised by these positive Covid results.

“We continue to reinforce the importance of 'Covid secure' to all of our staff and regularly review the safety and compliance of all of our workplaces.”