6,000 fines issued for rule breaks

MORE than 6,000 fines have been issued to people across Wales for breaching coronavirus regulations this year, new figures have shown.

Figures released by the by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) have revealed that 6,351 fines were given out by all Welsh police forces between January 17 and April 18 this year.

It brings the total number of fines issued in Wales since the start of the pandemic to 10,580, meaning more fines have been given out in three months than in the entire period between March 2020 and January 2021.

South Wales Police is the force which has given out the most fines since the pandemic began with 4,615. Of those, 3,342 have been given out since January.

North Wales Police has handed out 2,366 fines, including 1,711 since January. Dyfed-powys Police has given out 2,151, including 305 since January, and Gwent Police has given out 1,288 fines, 815 of which have been given since January.

In England 104,822 fines have been given out since the start of the pandemic. As with Wales, the majority of those were handed out between January 17 and April 18 this year (64,666).

Across both England and Wales, holding indoor private gatherings was the most common reason for being fined. In England this accounted for 29,817 fines (28.4%) while in Wales the figure was 3,366 (31%).

Other notable reasons for being fined in Wales included entering, leaving or remaining away from somewhere under restrictions without a reasonable excuse (2,117) and participating in a public gathering (520).

Less common reasons included leaving your home during a period of self-isolation (40) and failing to provide details to Track and Trace when requested to do so (1).

Three fines were issued in Wales relating to holding a gathering of more than 30 people, while five fines have been issued for failing to remain inside a premises during isolation after travelling.

More than seven in ten fines handed out in both England and Wales were given to men, and just under half (47%) across both countries were given to people aged between 18 and 24. A further 17% were given to those between 25 and 29 and another 12% to those between 30 and 34.

Chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, Martin Hewitt, said: “We’re continuing to take encouraging steps out of lockdown. The number of fines processed have gone down again in the past four weeks, which is to be expected as restrictions are lifted.

“All of our hard work and sacrifice is paying off, and to ensure we continue to move in this direction it’s important we keep the threat of Covid-19 at the forefront of our minds and stick to the rules at each stage of the roadmap.

“Despite these good signs, there are still a small number of people who blatantly disregard the rules, attending and organising large gatherings, such as illegal parties or unlicensed music events.

“Forces up and down the country have shut down a number of these selfish and unsafe events, and officers won’t let up in their efforts over the coming weeks.

“The same applies for large indoor gatherings, and any person who organises or attends these can also expect to be fined.”

Mr Hewitt said he wished to “remind everyone that there are still limits on how many people can meet up in groups outside.

“As the weather has improved and restrictions have eased, we have seen several large gatherings in outdoor spaces, most commonly in parks,” he said.

“I understand that people are excited to see their friends and family again after such a long time, but it really is vital people continue to follow the rules at each stage of the government’s roadmap or we risk undermining our efforts up to now.

“Our officers will continue to carry out patrols and will engage with the public to keep explaining the restrictions which remain in place at the time.”