Take your tier with you – or you could face a £200 fine
POLICE can issue £200 fines if people do not “take their tier with them” when they travel. The last week has seen several changes to coronavirus rules and guidance across the country, with some implications for police enforcement.
The picture is complex, but the upshot for people in the Bristol region is this: you will not be fined just for leaving your tier, but you could be if you do not take the rules of your tier with you.
This is different to the situation in London and the South East, which are under the strictest restrictions, Tier 4.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council has said there will be no roadblocks or routine stops on vehicles leaving Tier 4, but people who do travel out of those areas without a reasonable excuse may face a fine.
Enforcement against non-essential travel only applies to Tier 4. When it comes to crossing between lower tiers, a Home Office spokesman told the Post there is “strong advice” against doing so without a reasonable excuse.
This means there is advice – but no law – against travelling between Tier 3 South Gloucestershire and Tier 2 Bristol for reasons other than work, education, health or care requirements.
Avon and Somerset Police says it would ask people to abide by the guidance, but cannot actually enforce it.
But police do have powers to act if you do not adhere to the rules of your tier when you travel into another one.
North Yorkshire Police, for example, issued more than 160 fines last weekend and says the “vast majority” were to Tier 3 residents visiting Tier 2 York to mix and socialise indoors “in clear breach of their restrictions”.
They would have been allowed to have a pint in a pub if they lived in a Tier 2 area – but they faced enforcement because they travelled to one from Tier 3.
Avon and Somerset police have the same powers to issue fines to people who do not take their tier with them.
They can issue adults with a £200 fine for the first offence, £400 for the second, then doubling for each further offence up to a maximum of £6,400.
“We would ask people to ensure they are fully aware of the rules for their tier, and to be mindful that these rules continue to apply to them even if they travel to a lower tier area,” said a force spokeswoman.
“Where people are found to be in breach of regulations, police will continue to use our 4Es strategy to engage, explain and encourage people to follow the rules, with enforcement being an option, albeit a last resort, for flagrant breaches.”
Police made “proactive visits” to licensed premises in York last weekend to target people coming from higher tiers. We have asked Avon and Somerset police if they will be making similar visits to Bristol pubs.
A Home Office spokesman said there are no current plans to extend police powers to enforce travel bans from lower tiers than Tier 4.
He added: “As the Prime Minister has said, the police have done an incredible job throughout the pandemic, helping to keep us all safe.
“The majority of people are doing the right thing and complying with the restrictions to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.”