Covidiots
Cops fine 144 fools who just won’t stay at home
SIX penalty notices were handed by police to party-goers flouting coronavirus lockdown rules – as they dished out 144 on-the-spot fines.
While NHS doctors, nurses and carers put their lives on the line, selfish people at a party in Aberdeen on Tuesday “refused to desist” when challenged by officers, forcing them to issue six penalty fines.
And in Paisley, three notices were issued to a group of men who said they had no intention of complying with the new rules when they gathered in a van for no reasonable reason.
Police Scotland can issue penalty notices of £60, reduced to £30 if paid within 28 days, if they believe an offence has been committed under the regulations.
Between last Friday and
Wednesday of this week, police in Scotland issued 144 fixed penalty fines.
Of these, 46 were in Greater Glasgow, 20 in the northeast, 18 in Ayrshire, 17 in Lanarkshire, nine in Argyll and eight in Renfrewshire.
There were six in Forth Valley, four in Edinburgh and in Fife, and one each in Tayside, Dumfries and Galloway and the Highlands and Islands. Chief Constable Iain Livingstone thanked the public for their “overwhelming” support and co-operation through the first week of the social distancing regulations. He said: “People recognise that it is their duty to adhere to these guidelines to protect their fellow citizens, ease the strain on the health service, and collectively save lives. “Everyone must contribute to the national effort to respond to the virus outbreak and I am grateful to the vast majority who have made significant changes to their daily habits and routines.
“I expect the high levels of co-operation to continue as awareness and understanding of the guidance increases.
“Stay indoors, stay safe, protect the NHS, and save lives.”
Livingstone said that his officers and the public “must take a common-sense approach to this unique emergency”.
He added: “We will always encourage compliance but, as a last resort, we will use the enforcement powers which are in place.
“I am clear that policing in Scotland gains its legitimacy and authority from the consent and support of the public.
“Everything we do will be done in a fair, reasonable, and proportionate manner.”
The Coronavirus Act 2020 allows officers to enforce the testing of individuals with suspected coronavirus. It also allows for the closure of events, gatherings and premises.
The regulations allow officers to close businesses and premises which flout the government’s guidance.
The regulations give officers the power to enforce social distancing among the wider
public, with the sanction of penalty notices where there has been an offence.
They will be reviewed at least every 21 days.
Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “These rules are in place to slow down the spread of Covid-19, which will protect the NHS and save lives. While Police Scotland has powers of enforcement, I expect that these will be used only as a last resort, and that the vast majority of people will use their common sense.”
Jason Leitch, Scotland’s national clinical director, said: “The best way of slowing down the spread is social distancing, so I must thank Police Scotland for working with the public to keep them safe and encourage them to comply with these regulations.
“If you have to leave your house for essential reasons – food, medicine, care, exercise or work, and you cannot do them at home – please stay 2m (6ft 6in) from people you don’t live with, and keep human contact as limited as possible.”