Patel tells police to issue more fines for breaches

‘We will collectively target those organising large gatherings, house parties, or causing communities harm’

PRITI PATEL has told police they need to issue more fines during the second lockdown than in the first to ensure that the law-abiding majority are not endangered by people who flout the rules.

The Home Secretary said the Government had provided extra funding and had simplified rules, but it was down to forces to ensure they were obeyed. Her comments to the National Policing Board came as five chief constables in the North West warned the public they would come down hard on those who deliberately broke the law.

In an open letter, the heads of the forces in Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside said rule breakers should prepare to “face the consequences of greater levels of enforcement”. The police chiefs warned that they would “collectively target” the minority of people who were still organising illegal gatherings, raves and parties. They also said that they were seeking support from the judiciary as to how they could rapidly bring to justice those who refused to pay Covid-related fines.

The letter stated: “To the majority of our communities who have tried so hard to comply with restrictions, please carry on. We know how hard this is, but we need to maintain that shared purpose we had in the first lockdown to defeat the virus and, ultimately, save lives. To the minority who that feel the restrictions do not apply to them, be prepared to face greater levels of enforcement. We will collectively target those who flout restrictions, particularly those organising large gatherings and music events, repeatedly holding parties or deliberately causing harm to our communities by not following the restrictions, such as self-isolating where necessary.”