Police warning after Covid breaches spike
Police this week issued a warning to Forth Valley residents as the number of on-the-spot fines for covid breaches in the region spiked.
The amount of Fixed Penalty Notices issued in the Stirling, Clackmannanshire and Falkirk areas (Division C) since Christmas has gone up by 34.
That includes 13 fines imposed for breaching travel restrictions.
Police Scotland Stirling Area Commander, Chief Inspector Gill Marshall, said this week: “Police Scotland officers will continue to support people in Stirling to follow the regulations and encourage them to take personal responsibility.
“People should not leave their homes unless for essential purposes. The best way to stay safe is to stay at home.
“We will have increased patrols in our communities to explain the regulations and to encourage people to do the right thing.
“Where officers encounter wilful breaches they will act decisively to enforce the law.”
In April 12 people were given on-thespot fines for gathering in Tullibody’s Abercromby Arms during lockdown
And at New Year cops issued fines for breaches to covid regulations after they broke up a party of more than 30 people at a house in Aberfoyle.
Recent statistics measure the difference between two periods - one covering the Christmas holiday period December 16 to December 27 and the other the seven days up to January 13.
Between December 16 to 27 the running total of Covid fines in Forth Valley – since March’s lockdown – was 340, with three fines imposed under travel restrictions; the running total of arrests was 29.
However, in the seven days to January 13 the cumulative amount of Covid fines in Forth Valley since lockdown was 374 with 16 fines under travel restrictions; the running total of arrests was 42.
The fines start at £30 and go up to £60 if not paid within 28 days.
Under level three and level four tier restrictions people should only leave their homes unless their trip is considered essential.
Chief Inspector Marshall added: “In rural Stirling we continue to discourage travel to the beauty spots for exercise where this is in breach of current travel restrictions and are working with our partners in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, the Forestry Commission and the local authority to ensure the safety of those in rural communities.
“The vast majority of people have stepped up to take responsibility and our determination and collective effort to tackle this virus must now continue in the difficult times ahead.”