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More than 400 travelers who should be quarantined under COVID-19 laws have so far escaped fines because police did not find them at home, it was revealed.
Police chiefs say officers were asked to investigate more than 4,000 cases referred to them by health authorities.
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Most met the self-isolation requirements and others were persuaded to do so, but at 440 addresses the police received no response when they called and, according to police chiefs, “no further enforcement action (was) possible.”
In 240 of the addresses the police visited, they found no records of the people they pointed to live there.
Only 38 travelers from the UK have been fined by the police after returning from countries like Spain and France, which are on the government’s quarantine list. Others may have received notices of flat fines from the UK Border Force.
The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) said: “The Police College guidance states that when the police are unable to obtain a response after a visit to an address, additional follow-up visits are suggested.
“If there is still no response, the times and dates of the visits should be recorded and communicated with the Border Force.
NPCC President Martin Hewitt said: “It is critical that people do everything possible, including limiting social contact, to reduce the spread of coronavirus. The country is at a critical point and personal decisions will be important in the coming weeks and months.
“It has proven to be the case that most people will be held accountable and accept that personal responsibility, but there has to be a proportionate response and, as I said, we are now in a position where the police forces are busy doing their normal work. “. there is no capacity to participate in a manhunt.
“It was never designed to be 100% when everyone comes in, they were meant to be controlled, there is a percentage that will be controlled.
“Our responsibility is to do the verification and we have given some fines or, when we cannot get an answer, we send it to the classification center that is in charge of the Border Force and it is their responsibility to assume it.
“Thank you to the vast majority of the public for abiding by the rules and following current guidelines to limit the spread of the virus. However, a small minority are not following the rules and making life-threatening decisions – they should expect that take enforcement action against them. “
Travelers returning from countries on the quarantine list can face a fine of £ 1,000 and up to £ 3,200 for repeatedly breaking the law.
The NPCC also revealed that 15 people were fined in the first week of the new “rule of six” law limiting gatherings.
The law took effect on September 14, but a delay in data collection may mean that the figure is higher. First-time offenders are now fined £ 200.
In the last month, the police imposed 18 fines for gatherings of more than 30 people at events such as musical performances, protests and private parties. Failure to comply with that new law carries a £ 10,000 fine.
Police chiefs also revealed that crime has almost returned to 2019 levels after falling dramatically at the height of the pandemic lockdown.
Crime is on the rise again after a crash during the height of the pandemic
Assaults on emergency services workers, police, firefighters and health personnel soared 29% in the past year, according to new figures for England and Wales.
Domestic abuse increased 7%, rapes increased 4%, and mental health incidents were 5% higher compared to the figures for August last year.
Overall registered crime is 3% below last year’s level after falling 28% during the close.
Mr. Hewitt said: “Police are busy addressing and preventing crime, and providing policing service to their communities, while continuing to play their role in the national effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
“We have returned to pre-closure levels of demand. I would like to thank all of the officers and staff who continue to do their best every day, under difficult circumstances, to keep communities safe.
“Police chiefs will assess threats and risks in their local areas, along with current national and local COVID-19 restrictions, and provide resources for their patrols and responses accordingly.
“As we have surprisingly seen throughout the pandemic, there continues to be a worrying increase in attacks against emergency services workers. We will use the full force of the law to prosecute anyone who uses violence against those in the first place. line”.
