Latest data reveal just 38 fines were issued for flouting face covering laws on public transport in Wales and England

POLICE have issued fewer than 40 fines in Wales and England to people for not wearing an appropriate face covering on public transport, despite previous claims from England’s Transport Secretary that one-in-10 passengers over the border were breaking the rules.

Latest data from the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) shows 38 notices were issued by police forces since the introduction of new rules making face coverings mandatory in England from June 15 and in Wales from June 27.

The Welsh Government made it compulsory for all people over the age of 11 to wear face coverings on public transport, unless there is a reasonable excuse.

Passengers in Wales and England caught not complying with the regulations, which aim to slow the spread of coronavirus, risk being fined £100 and removed from services.

Some 32 of the 38 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) were issued by the British Transport Police (BTP), with four issued by West Midlands Police, and one each by Lancashire and Cumbria constabularies.

Last week, Transport for Wales said that since the new policy had been introduced more than 500 people were stopped from travelling on its trains because they were not wearing a face covering.

It also emerged that, in the capital, Cardiff Bus drivers have been told not to challenge passengers who don’t wear face masks.

At the beginning of the month, England’s Transport Secretary Grant Shapps wrote on Twitter that the face covering compliance rates on public transport was 90%, although BTP said that has since risen to around 97%.

Transport for London (TfL) data is not included in yesterday’s police figures, although a spokesman confirmed engagement officers had spo

ken with 78,132 people since July 4, with 5,612 passengers stopped from boarding, and 344 fines issued to those refusing to comply.

Unions said workers had concerns about non-compliance from passengers, as well as who would enforce the rules.

Mick Lynch, senior assistant general secretary of the RMT, said he was “deeply concerned that there are still passengers refusing to follow the basic rules” in relation to face coverings.

He said: “Not only does that put staff and other passengers at risk but it creates a potential confrontation point at a time when everyone needs to be co-operating.

“Enforcement has to be a matter for the British Transport Police and they need to be provided with the resources required to deliver it.”

The Unite union said it “repeatedly raised its concerns” about the noncompliance of some passengers.

Bobby Morton, Unite national officer for passenger transport, said: “Legally only the police have the power to intervene and enforce the rules, bus drivers do not have the power to enforce the wearing of face coverings.

“Unite has made it clear it is not the role of bus drivers to enforce the rules of face coverings and they should not be asked to do so.”

A BTP spokesman said: “The overwhelming majority of people have listened, complied, and continued to play an important role in protecting other passengers and rail staff – we have seen compliance levels of around 97%.”

Siwan Hayward, TfL director of compliance, said: “We have been educating customers of the need to wear face coverings over their nose and mouth, unless exempt, since June.

“As a result, we are now seeing widespread usage on our network, with the vast majority of passengers complying.”