More than 400 Covid-19 fines issued by South Yorkshire Police

The force dished out a total of 423 fixed penalty notices (FPN) under Covid-19 legislation between March 27 and November 16, the latest date for which statistics are available.

That is a fraction of the 1,597 such fines doled out by Greater Manchester Police during the same period, according to data published today, Monday, November 30, by the National Police Chiefs’ Council.

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Since the new rules came into force, a total of 24,933 coronavirus fines have now been handed out by police across England and Wales.

Of the 423 FPNs issued by South Yorkshire Police, just 17 came since the second national lockdown began on Thursday, November 5.

The vast majority (375) were issued under the regulations in place during the first national lockdown and those in force once the restrictions were relaxed in July.

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Just five fines were issued in South Yorkshire for people failing to wear a mask when required, and three over breaches of international travel regulations.

NPCC chairman Martin Hewitt said: “Thank you to the vast majority of the public for sticking to the rules and following the guidance in place to limit the spread of the virus. Police will play their part to help the public navigate and understand changes in their area, particularly as we approach the festive period.

“The national lockdown periods in England and Wales have seen increased enforcement activity by forces, targeted towards those who commit the most serious breaches, risking public health.

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“Enforcement doesn’t and shouldn’t always equal police involvement or the issuance of a fixed penalty notice. Individuals, businesses and a range of agencies all have a responsibility to ensure the virus is suppressed.

“We cannot waste time endlessly encouraging those still intent on breaking the rules after nine months of this pandemic, and they should expect to see officers move more quickly towards issuing FPNs where it is appropriate.”

The NPCC states that the true number of Covid-19 FPNs issued up to November 16 is likely to be higher due to the time taken to process them.