Hoax Covid callers are maliciously trying to close down pubs and cafes in the south Warwickshire area, claims councillor

Hoax Covid calls are being made in an attempt to close down pubs and cafes in the Southam area, according to one angry councillor.

Cllr Tony Bromwich (Ind, Southam North) said he is 'very disturbed' to hear that people are 'maliciously' ringing the council to report that businesses are breaking Covid-19 regulations - but when officers arrive at the premises, they find no breaches of the rules.

"I thoroughly deplore such actions and furthermore would like to offer my support to their businesses which have been going through a nightmare year," said Cllr Bromwich.

He said that one place was targeted on three occasions - and each time the officers found that everything was in order.

It is not clear whether all the calls are malicious or simply genuinely concerned residents and Stratford District Council said it did not wish to discuss individual cases.

But Cllr Bromwich believes most of the callers are deliberately trying to harm local businesses.

He added: "I've been aware over the past six months of a couple of local businesses who have been subjected to these malicious complaints and have had officers turn up to their premises.

"I have spoken to officers at Stratford District Council and they are trying to deal with most complaints informally but as you can imagine businesses are getting very jumpy.

"My message is - support your local businesses, if you don't use them, you'll lose them."

A spokesperson for Stratford District Council said: "Across the county all the local authorities and the police have been working in partnership throughout the pandemic and the level of compliance amongst businesses has been very high.

"We and our partners have been working with all business to maintain and improve, where necessary, Covid control measures.

"Business leaders/manager across our district have to be applauded for taking such a responsible approach to the ongoing issues that this pandemic presents."