FLOUT OF ORDER

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HUnDREDS of Scots have been fined, arrested or ordered to go home for flouting strict lockdown rules since emergency powers came into force two weeks ago.

Chief Constable Iain Livingstone revealed 35 arrests were made and 537 fixed penalties issued as he urged the public to “obey the law” ahead of the normally busy Easter holidays.

It comes as another 48 people died after contracting Covid-19, taking the total in Scotland to 495.

Across the UK, the death toll stands at 8958, up 980 in a single day. There have now been more than 100,000 fatalities globally.

The scale of infections in the UK also led to warnings yesterday that it is still too soon to predict when lockdown measures will be eased. Livingstone said most people have followed social distancing and travel restrictions in the nationwide drive to protect lives in the pandemic.

But the Police Scotland chief added: “Since the emergency powers came into effect two weeks ago, we have been required to take enforcement action in limited situations.

“This has typically been during incidents where people do not comply with legal instructions, after being spoken to by officers. For example, house parties or gatherings in public where those involved refuse to disperse.

“However, overall, compliance has been very high in Scotland and I thank the public for their overwhelming co-operation and commitment.”

A police breakdown of the figures show groups were asked to disperse 1427 times, while a further 464 groups needed a warning.

In total, 537 fixed penalties were issued and “reasonable force” was used to return people to their homes 58 times. Arrests were low across 13 police divisions. Of the total of 35, eight

BY ANDY PHILIP Political Correspondent were made in Glasgow, seven in Argyll and West Dunbartonshire, and five in Edinburgh. Police issued 113 fixed penalties in Glasgow, 67 in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde and 57 in Lanarkshire.

Livingstone, speaking at First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s daily press update, said the “vast majority” are doing the “right thing”. He also vowed to keep policing “fair, reasonable and proportionate” after concerns of a heavy-handed approach in parts of England.

Livingstone also defended the warning given to former chief medical officer Catherine Calderwood, who lost her job after twice breaching strict advice to visit her Fife holiday home.

He said: “Dr Calderwood had accepted the error of her ways without any equivocation.”

Addressing anyone considering travelling at the weekend, Livingstone said: “If we all do the right thing to maintain social distancing, stay home and keep safe, we will protect the NHS. “If you need help or support from the police service, contact us. Please, please, stick with it. Obey the law, continue to play your part, and lives will be saved.” Sturgeon reinforced the message and warned it is still too early to considering lifting lockdown restrictions. She added that she does not expect the NHS Louisa Jordan hospital, set up at the SEC in Glasgow, to be used. The latest figures showed 5275 people have now tested positive for coronavirus in Scotland, up by 318 from 4957 the day before. There were 1832 in hospital, 207 of them in intensive care.