‘Conspiracy’ leaflet spreading misinformation about Covid-19 has been posted through doors in Workington

It falsely states that under the newly-introduced act, anyone in the UK can be “detained, tested and medically treated against your will”, and children can be taken away from their parents.

Written in bold, the leaflet also states that “Covid-19 is no more serious than the flu”, and adds: “The Nazis had a phrase to gain your compliance – ‘It’s for your safety’.”

And when Workington man Nick Johnston found the leaflet posted through his letterbox on Eskdale Crescent, he was alarmed by the misinformation and fear it was spreading.

“When I first saw it, I thought what a load of [rubbish],” he said.

“I went down the street to find out if anyone else had got one, and a few people had but not everyone.

“There’s no truth in it whatsoever, and my biggest concern is that someone will see this and be really scared by it, or even believe it.”

The 39-year-old, who lives with his healthcare-worker wife and seven-year-old daughters, said although the leaflet didn’t upset him, it could easily hurt other people.

He said: “It just made me angry, the fact they’re spreading malicious lies and trying to scare people into believing this conspiracy theory.

“I’d love to ask them, ‘where are your facts and figures coming from’, because it’s just not true.

“Anyone who gets this should just throw it away and ignore the rubbish in it – quoting Nazis and all sorts, it’s just ridiculous and absolute [lies].”

The concerned father-of-two raised the issue with local councillors, including Workington MP Mark Jenkinson, and police.

“The more people that know about this, and the more people who are aware that it’s all just complete lies, the better,” Mr Johnston added.

And Mr Jenkinson is shocked by the leaflet, saying: “The leaflet that has been circulated in Workington has clearly been designed to deceive those who read it by using the HM Government logo.

“I, along with many of my colleagues and other stakeholders, have been working hard through this pandemic to keep my constituents correctly informed through this pandemic.

“The Government has responded to Covid in a reasonable and sensible manner, based on scientific evidence.

“Purposefully attempting to deceive the reader by producing such a leaflet is reprehensible, not least during a period of heightened anxiety.”

Superintendent for West Cumbria Dan St Quintin said: “Whilst we are confident the overwhelming majority of the public can see through the contents and recognise the very real risk posed by Covid-19, actions like this are severely unhelpful in our fight against the pandemic.

“The police are making enquiries as to the source of the leaflet.

“We urge people to listen to national and local public health figures and we thank people for continuing to abide by the regulations put in place by the Government.”

A spokesman for Cumbria Police confirmed that officers are looking into where and why the leaflet was produced.

“The police are aware of this leaflet and are making enquiries into its source,” they said.

“We are confident that our communities are able to see the very real risk posed by Covid-19 and the subsequent need for restrictions to mitigate that risk.”

They added: “We would encourage residents to continue to abide by the regulations that are in place and would take this opportunity to thank them for doing so.”

A Cumbria County Council spokesman branded the information “misleading and dangerous”, and urged the public to follow guidance, and only trust information issued through official channels, including government and county council websites.