Rule breakers paying price ‘for not playing their part’
A group of youths playing football and three lads “chillin’” in a cemetery car park are among the latest people to receive fines for breaching the coronavirus restrictions.
Market Bosworth police said in a Facebook post after the weekendthat there had been many reports of Covid rule breaches over the weekend.
The post said: “The weekend has been filled with many reports of various Covid regulation breaches. It’s fair to say that none of us on the team joined this organisation to stop lads playing football or to stop family gatherings. But for the time being, these are the rules and this is the law.”
Rule breaches at the weekend included the following:
■ Fifteen or so lads playing football in Fenny Drayton;
■ Male going out despite waiting on a Covid test result (and confirming on his open FB account that he has the virus);
■ Three lads ‘chillin’ in a car in the Desford Cemetery car park, all from separate households.
“All will be paying fines for not playing their part,” said the post, which also addressed those who say that the police have better things to do than impose Covid fines.
It said: “For the naysayers who will no doubt be commenting that we
The weekend has been filled with many reports of various Covid regulation breaches.
aren’t catching murderers or burglars, I say this: thankfully, in this area we have no active murder inquiries and our acquisitive crime rate (theft and burglary) is low because more people are at home.
“So for now, if you are caught out for breaching Covid you can expect a fine.
“It is not a defence to suggest that you didn’t know or realise.
“That will only wash if you can prove that you’ve been in a bunker/ desert island for the past 12 months.”
Fines start at £200 if you are caught leaving your home without a reasonable excuse, with the penalty doubling
for further offences up maximum of £6,400.
Penalties of £10,000 can be handed out to the organisers of illegal gatherings of more than 30 people, such as raves or house parties.
If you attend a gathering of more than 15 people, you will be fined £800, which doubles after every offence up to a maximum of £6,400.
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SOUTH Leicestershire MP Alberto Costa held a virtual meeting with senior representatives from Aggregate Industries and local councillors to hear about plans to expand Croft Quarry and extend the lifespan of the site.
Proposals put forward by Aggregate Industries to Leicestershire County Council include plans to further extract minerals from the site and then to fill-in the quarry with inert materials such as clay, soils, concrete and rubble.
The plans will help create a longterm wildlife park for the local area, and avoid the dangers associated with other quarries filled with water, in order to help keep residents safe.
Since Croft Quarry first opened over 130 years ago, it has been an essential anchor to the local community and contributes about £8 million towards the local economy. Mr Costa said: “I was most interested to hear the proposed plans for expanding the usage of the site at Croft Quarry, and it’s eventual future as a wildlife park for residents.
“The quarry has a rich and deep history in South Leicestershire and has been a consistent source of employment and economic benefit for some years and I am pleased to see this continuing. I know some residents have expressed concern about the materials being used to fill the quarry, but I have received assurances that these will be non-hazardous and, of course, Leicestershire County Council will be looking at this closely”.
Kirsten Hannaford-Hill, on behalf of Aggregate Industries, said: “Croft Quarry has a long and prominent history and is a strategic site of
Croft Quarry has a long and prominent history and is a strategic site of importance to Aggregate Industries.
importance to Aggregate Industries. As part of securing the long-term future of the quarry, the company has sought the support of Alberto Costa regarding a current planning application to extend the life of mineral extraction at Croft Quarry and to enable a beneficial restoration of wetland conservation, visitor centre and improved rights of way through the importation of restoration material via rail.
“The company places great value in our relationship with the community.
“The proposed planning application has been designed to limit any environmental impact and to protect our neighbours and provide long-term benefits to employment, community greenspace, habitat creation and community funding.”
Councillor Maggie Wright has said: “We have a good working relationship with Aggregate Industries through our quarterly liaison meetings. These provide a good opportunity to voice local resident and community concerns” Mr Costa concluded: “I am pleased the longterm plans for Croft Quarry will continue to benefit the local community through job opportunities, supply chain opportunities and also educational benefits.
“I am working with Aggregate Industries and our excellent local councillors to secure a substantial community fund for the surrounding villages so the site’s legacy can be secured through giving back to local people by supporting community projects and infrastructure”.