219 'social distancing' fines across Thames Valley issued

Thames Valley Police Aylesbury Vale said yesterday they are being constantly called out to groups of young adults and children playing in Edinburgh Fields.

You can read about some of the issues they have been having with people not following Government advice here. Martin Hewitt, head of the National Police Chief's Council, said the UK was in a "national emergency, not a national holiday" .

Police chiefs however have said this week the vast majority of people are following social distancing measures to help protect the NHS.

Thames Valley Police Chief Constable John Campbell said: “This is an unprecedented public health emergency and an extraordinary national effort is needed to fight this virus.

“Since the new measures were introduced we have had thousands of positive interactions with the public and the overwhelming majority of people have had either a legitimate purpose for being out, or have listened to the advice given by our officers.

“However, on some occasions we have had to enforce the legislation. In the last three weeks we have fined a total of 219 people of the 2.3 million population in the Thames Valley.

If someone refuses to follow the regulations - for instance a request to go home - officers can give them an on-the-spot fine of £60, reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days. If they keep breaking the law, more fines can be given - up to a maximum of £960.

Police could ultimately charge someone with the more serious criminal offence of breaching coronavirus regulations and a direction to follow them. This could lead to a conviction in a magistrates court and an unlimited fine.

John continued: “Most of the fines we have issued have been to groups, inappropriately gathering together in public places, or driving together in a car, for example ten fines were given to one group alone.

“We have also made a number of arrests which have led to people being jailed for breaching Coronavirus restrictions or coughing at officers or members of the public.

“Some of these breaches have been identified by patrol officers but a significant number have been reported by the public. In particular this Easter Weekend, as with many Forces, we had a significant increase in these types of calls.

“We will continue to engage with the public, explain the restrictions and encourage people to stay indoors. However, when necessary, we will take enforcement action if people are not listening to the advice and are putting others at risk.

“The restrictions are in place to protect the public and protect the NHS.

“The great majority of the public have been staying in and stopping the spread of the pandemic, and I want to thank them for their ongoing cooperation and support.”