Takeaways and ghostbusting... why we flouted the travel rules
FROM ghost-hunting to a ‘spiritual awakening’, Covid rulebreakers came up with a range of bizarre excuses for flouting lockdown travel bans.
More than 900 people have been fined during the pandemic – including hillwalkers and campers.
Data revealed by Police Scotland reveals that some offenders gave boredom as an excuse for being outside their council areas.
Officers were given powers on November 20 last year to fine those breaking travel rules. Penalties start at £30, dou- bling to £60 if they are not paid within 28 days. Repeat offenders can face fines of up to £960.
Until a month ago, most of the country had been in lockdown since Boxing Day.
Documents obtained through a Freedom of Information request highlight a number of travel incidents.
They include a man who called police and mountain rescue teams after travelling then getting into difficulty climbing Mount Keen, in Angus. He was fined for exposing them to ‘significant Covid risk’.
In Stranraer, Wigtownshire, officers stopped a man from travelling to Northern Ireland to place a bet.
In North Berwick, three men told officers they had travelled outside their area for a takeaway as they were ‘bored’.
In Renfrewshire, eight people from five different households were fined after travelling to derelict premises for the purposes of ‘ghost-hunting’.
And a man chasing women at a local beauty spot in Perthshire told officers he had broken travel restrictions as he had recently experienced a ‘spiritual awakening’.
When they received new powers, Police Scotland made it clear they would not be routinely stopping vehicles or setting up road blocks. The majority of offenders were caught by officers undertaking their daily duties.
The data revealed that 11,383 fines had been issued for breaching lockdown rules and 1,431 arrests made, as of April 26. Officers have been called out to house parties almost 8,000 times.
Incidents included ten men who were fined after renting a short-term let in Edinburgh to watch football.
Police in Fife investigating reports of a loud party found 20 people within an inflatable pub in the back garden.
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Speirs said: ‘Our approach throughout the pandemic has not changed. Officers will engage with the public, explain the legislation and encourage compliance, but will not hesitate to use enforcement as a last resort.
‘This approach will remain as, hopefully, restrictions continue to be eased over the coming months and we move back to a more normal way of life.’
‘Inflatable pub in the garden’