20 Covid fines issued after police stop large gatherings in woods

‘IT IS FRUSTRATING WE STILL HAVE A SMALL NUMBER OF COMPLETELY DEFIANT AND IRRESPONSIBLE PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO REGARD FOR SAFETY OF THEMSELVES OR OTHERS’

TWENTY people have been fined for breaking coronavirus restrictions after gathering in a Lincolnshire wood during lockdown. Lincolnshire Police broke up multiple large gatherings in Kenwick Woods near Louth just after 8pm on Saturday, February 27. The force issued 20 fixed penalty notices for breaching Covid-19 regulations – however, they have not revealed the amounts they were fined.

Inspector Sarah Constantine said: “This was a blatant breach of Covid regulations.

“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.”

Police are urging people to stick to the Covid-19 measures to help stop the spread of the deadly virus. Inspector Constantine added: “While we are still following our 4 E model of engage, explain, encourage and only using enforcement as a last resort, officers are not getting into a debate or discussion with these people about what the rules are or whether they are necessary. “We’re taking a common sense approach, applying discretion and judgement when engaging with the public. But common sense would dictate that any gatherings of this nature are not acceptable.”

Lincolnshire Police broke up multiple large gatherings in Kenwick Woods near Louth just after 8pm on Saturday, February 27.

Common sense would

dictate that any gatherings of this nature

are not acceptable

Inspector Sarah Constantine