Dozens fined for ‘party’ breaches of Covid-19 rules
POLICE STOP HOME GATHERINGS
FORTY-FOUR people in Hull were fined at the weekend after police were forced to break up a series of parties.
In the city alone, four gatherings or parties were reported to the police despite the third national coronavirus lockdown being in full swing.
A “large party” had to be dispersed in Farringdon Street on Friday night where officers issued eight fixed penalty notices (FPNS) to those attending, before 11 people at a house on Wright Street received the same fate.
A further 25 people were also given FPNS on Sunday split between addresses on St George’s Road and Spring Bank as police used powers to try and prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Assistant Chief Constable Paul Anderson said: “In the past two weeks we have also issued a number of fixed penalty notices for people in breach of the new regulations, those include some notable incidents; a party of friends travelling from Leeds to attend a party in Bridlington were issued FPNS, a person who had returned to England from overseas did not selfisolate as per travel restrictions, they were issued with a FPN, a small group of men were issued with FPNS when they were found outside their own area for the purposes of hare coursing in the East Riding of Yorkshire and a man from Liverpool was issued with a FPN when he was found in our area without a reasonable excuse.
“The first two weeks of 2021 have been one of facing new challenges and new regulations and I am pleased to say that yet again the people of East Yorkshire, Hull, North and North East Lincolnshire have, in the majority, stood up to the challenges of the ‘new normal’ and have been, by and large, adhering to the new restrictions.
“We have, however, had a number of instances of people flagrantly breaching the regulations. This weekend officers have issued 78 fixed penalty notices (FPNS) in the Force area. We were called to reports of parties in Beverley, Hull and Scunthorpe, where a number of people were found hosting and attending parties. Clearly, this is breach of the current restrictions and is not only a danger to those attending, but a risk to spread the virus to their wider communities.”
As well as the weekend breaches in Hull, four people were also fined for gathering at a house in Grovehill Road, Beverley, where one person was also arrested for the possession of drugs.
Rules for the latest lockdown include staying local, which means sticking to your town, village or part of the city, as well as taking just one form of exercise per day outside the home.
“Some people have needed clarification on the distances they can travel to take exercise and we would advise people to read the government guidance carefully, they state that ‘you should not travel outside your local area, stay local means stay in the village, town or part of the city where you live,’ AAC Anderson said.
“Our policing approach has always been to engage with our residents and communities, explaining and encouraging them to follow the guidance, letting people know that what they are doing may put themselves and others at risk.
“The majority of people have been very accepting of this advice, however, this weekend has shown that where necessary we have had to disperse groups that are found in breach of the regulations and enforcement has been necessary. This enforcement is only considered as after all reasonable requests and other options have been tried.
“We continue to take this approach to ensure we protect our communities which will always be our priority, to keep people safe and to protect the National Health Service as they face increased numbers of hospitalised patientst.”