Sheffield police chief issues lockdown plea and warning over fines

Since Tier 3 restrictions came into force in South Yorkshire last month, followed by the national lockdown, over 70 fines have been issued to those breaking rules designed to reduce the spread of coronavirus and save lives.

Nine people in Sheffield were handed the maximum fine possible – £10,000 – for organising Halloween parties.

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Sheffield’s District Commander, Chief Superintendent Una Jennings, said she was proud of her officers for the empathy shown to residents in the city during the pandemic but breaches will result in fines.

“My message to people in Sheffield is to follow the rules and exercise a degree of personal responsibility and to be also guided by their moral compass so that we can get back to some form of normality as soon as possible,” she said.

“We need people to abide by the regulations. The last thing we want to do is issue fines but we will do it because we have to protect lives. That is the primary function of any police force.”

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She praised her officers for their response to the pandemic.

“They are some of the best people you could ever meet in your life. Most days in Sheffield, officers are making a different to people’s lives,” Chf Supt Jennings added.

“I am really proud of their empathetical approach.”

The national lockdown is set to run until December 2 in the hope of reducing the spread of infection.

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