£700,000 in police fines for Covid rule-breakers

WEST Midlands Police has issued more than £700,000 in fines to people who broke Covid rules since the pandemic began. The force handed out 2,490 on-the-spot fines of at least £200 and issued 21 “super fines” of £10,000. It amounts to at least £708,000. The figure could be even higher, because payments are increased if the same person is fined twice.

The force also issued 36,737 “directions to leave” an area if people are breaking Covid rules. Setting out the figures, outgoing Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said: “I am satisfied that West Midlands Police has adopted a proportionate and fair approach, balancing engagement, explanation, education with enforcement, walking a very careful line at times with difficult judgements thoughtfully made.”

He also warned that Covid had led to an increase in some serious crimes.

He said: “With the night-time economy stilled and people remaining home, some forms of criminality dramatically reduced for a spell. Conversely, we also saw the effects of the lockdown on the drug economy, with violence erupting between organised crime groups in response to shortages of supply and struggles for territory and markets.

“The combination of emotional and financial pressures arising from lockdown, plus a changing approach to crime recording, saw recorded cases of domestic abuse surge.”

The crisis cost the force £5 million, he said. Additional costs included providing laptops and equipment to staff working from home, and giving a bonus to special constables who usually work unpaid, but took on full-time roles to cover staff.