Police patience is running out after breaches continue

FINES AND ORDERS ISSUED HAVE INCREASED

POLICE have warned patience is running out for those repeatedly breaching the Covid-19 rules.

Humberside Police have taken a tolerant approach to overseeing the rules since the first lockdown was introduced on March 23.

They have constantly emphasised the mantra “engage, explain, encourage, enforce” as part of a softly, softly strategy.

But since new restrictions were introduced and, later, a second national lockdown, the force has clamped down on offenders, issuing more fines, more orders and less tolerance.

While police will still look to work with those breaching rules, repeat offenders are going to be punished more readily.

On Tuesday, police appealed for a group of schoolchildren seen on a footbridge between Welton and Brough to come forward after a car was struck by a bottle while driving down the A63.

On Sunday night, a gang of around 40 youths gathered at the West Park skate park and set fire to stolen wheelie bins before abusing the firefighters sent to put out the flames.

Following a number of such incidents across the Force, assistant chief constable Paul Anderson said: “We are aware of a number of occasions over the past few days where groups have been gathering in breach of the Covid restrictions around gatherings and often behaving antisocially, causing concern to local residents.

“This has included people gathering outside of shops in Beverley Road and causing criminal damage in West Park, both in Hull.

“Our neighbourhood policing teams have been conducting high-visibility patrols in the areas and have issued a number of warnings to those gathering, which has seen groups disperse.

“However, I want to reiterate that should we see the same people congregating and regularly breaching the restrictions, we will not spend significant amounts of time with further encouragement, but instead will use enforcement powers to fine people.

“Where the person is under 18, this would result in the parents receiving the fine, which is why it’s so important to know where your children are, who they are with and what they are doing.”

There have been a number of shocking weeks.

Officers broke up an illegal Halloween party in east Hull, in the early hours of Sunday, November 1.

More than 20 people were gathered at a house in Cavendish Road, landing the homeowner with a fixed penalty notice for breaching Covid-19 restrictions.

Last month, it was revealed police had issued parents with fines in a bid to clamp down on youths gathering outside shops in Greatfield and letting off fireworks.

Elmbridge Parade has proved a major problem for groups breaking the social distancing rules.

Officers revealed parents had been fined after youngsters were found in large groups in the area.

Fines have also been issued to a group of teenagers caught hanging around a shopping precinct in Kingswood last month.

The teenagers were seen by Humberside Police hanging around the shops in School Lane.

The force said the teenagers were behaving in an antisocial manner and were issued with a Section 34 dispersal order and Covid breach fines.

ACC Anderson said: “With all of these areas, and many other hotspots across the Force area, our patrols have been increased to ensure we can respond to clear Covid breaches quickly and take the appropriate action against those who recklessly endanger others with their behaviour.

“I want to reassure the public that breaches of this nature are still relatively low and that most people have responded to the new regulations and are playing their part in protecting the NHS and others.

“However, to ensure these breaches stay low, we are proactively patrolling and engaging, and will not shy away from enforcement action should it be needed.

“As I’m sure you will have seen over the past week in the news, Covid cases in our area are growing quickly and the infection rate is now one of the highest in the country.

“Now, more than ever, it’s important we all pull together and do our bit to curb these infections and protect our national health service from becoming overwhelmed.

“I’m confident that the majority of people will continue to behave responsibly and take the pandemic seriously, but we will be there to deal with those who don’t.” breaches in the past few