In a single week cops have handed out 6,000 fines and since the Coronavirus Act came into force almost 70,000 fines for breaching the law have been handed out.
The National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC) data shows that between 27 March, 2020 and 14 February a total of 68,952 fixed penalty notices (FPNs) were given, with 63,201 in England and 5,751 in Wales.
Most of the fines were given following the government’s Tier 4 restrictions in December, with the latest fines handed out by eager cops on 4 January when the third lockdown started.
In the seven days to 11 February cops dished out 4,752 fines and the previous 6,218 were handed out.
The Metropolitan Police handed 10,000 FNs since March lasy year, and they said their cops responded to calls, “where people have recklessly and dangerously breached the regulations by organising house parties or unlicensed music events.”
NPCC chairman Martin Hewitt said, “We are still in a really dangerous stage of a pandemic which has killed more than 120,000 people.
“Eleven months on and back into a national lockdown, the rules are really clear and so it is frustrating that we still have a small number of completely defiant and irresponsible people who have no regard for the safety of themselves or others.”
Hewitt added, “We all know we must wear a face covering in a shop or on a bus and we all know we can’t meet up in groups.
“We’re taking a common sense approach, applying discretion and judgement when engaging with the public.
“But common sense would dictate that someone having a party is well aware what they are doing is wrong and has made an informed decision to do it anyway.
“Our extra dedicated patrols across the country will continue to support those of us making significant sacrifices in following the rules by taking enforcement action against those who are not.”
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