CONCERNS have been raised that new “hard-hitting” government messaging – used by BCP Council – encouraging people to stay at home “risks backfiring”.

The area’s Green Party branch said the ‘people will die’ warnings could have the opposite of their intended effect while also “exacerbating the epidemic of anxiety disorders”.

But the government said its “clear messaging” was needed to save lives.

The national Stay at Home campaign was launched on January 7 to encourage people to comply with the latest lockdown rules.

It has been advertised on TV, radio and social media and has also been given to local authorities for their use.

BCP Council posted one of the messages on Instagram last week which said “If you go out, you can spread it. People will die”.

But the conurbation’s Green Party branch has criticised the decision and questioned the effectiveness of the government’s approach.

Group coordinator Chris Henderson, a graduate member of the British Psychological Society, said he “understood” why the council decided to share the messages but said “scare tactics” could be counterproductive.

"Humans have mental 'switch-off' avoidance mechanisms against unmanageable levels of anxiety,” he said. 

“The research evidence has identified specific criteria which give fear-based campaigns a reasonable chance of being successful, rather than backfiring. Unfortunately, this campaign doesn't appear to have hit any of them.”

Green Party councillor Chris Rigby said the messaging “does not help” people with anxiety issues nor deter people who flout the rules.

The council said it had been using government-provided content throughout as part of its “statutory duty to inform during crises”.

"We know it’s hard hitting, but If it causes one person to reconsider and stay home instead of go out unnecessarily, that could be a decision that breaks the infection chain and saves a life,” it said in a statement.

A government spokesman said its latest communications campaign “ensures people are aware of what they can and cannot do to help stop the spread of coronavirus”.

“Throughout this unprecedented global pandemic we have set out clear instructions to the public about what they need to do to suppress the virus and the public has made enormous sacrifices, to prevent our NHS from becoming overwhelmed and help save lives,” they added.