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Fines imposed on the public for breaches of coronavirus rules are increasing in England and Wales, new data shows.
In total, between March 27 and October 19, 20,223 fixed sanction notifications (FPN) were issued under ongoing blockade restrictions, according to the latest figures from the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC).
Meanwhile, the crime recorded by the police was lower than in the same period in 2019.
In England, 17,451 fines were issued to the public and 2,772 in Wales, the data showed.
Based on England’s new COVID-19 alert levels, 65 fines were applied at Level 1 (Medium), 79 at Level 2 (High) and 124 at Level 3 (Very High).
A large amount of FPN was administered to people who did not wear face coverings.
A total of 258 fines were issued between June 15 and October 19 for breaches of regulations on face covering, with 86 FPN handed out for not wearing a mask on public transportation.
And 172 fines were imposed on people who did not wear a mask in a relevant location, such as a retail outlet.
Since September 22, when the figures were last reported, British forces issued 1,103 FPN for gatherings of more than 30 people and for localized restrictions. In Wales, 44 FPNs were issued in the same period.
The data revealed that 399 FPNs were issued under the Rule of Six in England, which came into effect on September 14, while 125 FPNs were issued to those who did not self-isolate after arriving in England from a country in the UK government quarantine list. to October 19.
Companies were also penalized for failing to enforce facial coverage regulations, with 47 fines issued in England.
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The data also showed that attacks on emergency services workers continue to show a 27% increase in the same period last year.
The president of the Council of Chiefs of the National Police, Martin Hewitt, said: “The coronavirus is something to which we have all had to adapt quickly, and officers have had to adopt new regulations at a record pace and apply them throughout the population. The number of cases where enforcement action is necessary at all is a small fraction of the total engagement we have had with the public. “
He added: “I also remain very concerned about the increase in attacks against emergency services workers, who are working to save lives, help the public and serve their communities. We will not hesitate to prosecute anyone who uses violence against the front-line staff. “
The NPCC report also found that reported rapes increased by 2% and recorded incidents of domestic abuse increased by 3%, while serious violent crimes, including serious bodily harm, actual bodily harm, and theft, fell by 10% compared to a year ago.
