Parents fined as kids breach the lockdown

Police have handed out fines to parents after their children were caught breaching lockdown rules.

Officers carried out high visibility patrols in and around the areas of Peterlee, Blackhall, Wingate, Thornley and Wheatley Hill last weekend.

As part of their patrols, Peterlee Police issued a number of parents with Fixed Penalty Notices after their children were found breaching Covid-19 restrictions in Shotton Colliery.

Under lockdown restrictions, it is against the law to meet socially with family or friends unless they are part of your household or support bubble.

You cannot leave home for recreational or leisure purposes, such as for a picnic or a social meeting, but you can exercise with one person from another household outdoors.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister announced that pupils in all years can go back to the classroom from March 8 and, from March 29, outdoor gatherings of either six people or two households will be allowed.

Over the weekend, Peterlee Police also patrolled the coastal routes of Blackhall and Crimdon to ensure all visiting the area were adhering to the existing Covid-19 restrictions.

Anyone caught breaking rules on meeting people could face a fine of £200 for the first offence and then doubling for further offences up to a maximum of £6,400.

Anyone involved in holding an illegal gathering of over 30 people can be fined £10,000.