Police hand out over 500 COVID breach fines

Data published by the National Police Chiefs Council shows a total of 313 fixed penalty notices were issued by Cleveland Police between March 27 and December 20.

Of these, 298 were issued for breaches of coronavirus laws brought in during the first few months of the pandemic, none were linked to the tiered alert system introduced in October, and 13 during the national lockdown in November.

Durham constabulary issued 253 penalty notices.

In Durham, 197 were issued during the first few months of the pandemic, none were linked to the tiered alert in October, and 34 in the November national lockdown.

There were five for failing to wear a face covering when required, and five for breaching international travel rules.

There were also four for breaking business regulations and one for a gatherings of more than 30 people.

Nationally, police forces issued 32,329 notices, though the NPCC said there had been a downward trend in recent weeks.

The peak occurred during the Easter bank holiday in April, with 3,288 handed out that week.

Home Secretary Priti Patel defended the policing of lockdown breaches across the country, warning that officers “will not hesitate” to take action to safeguard the national recovery effort.

She said: “The vast majority of people have supported this national effort and followed the rules.

“But the tragic number of new cases and deaths shows there is still a need for strong enforcement where people are clearly breaking these rules."