Police responsible for third of mask fines

A third of all fines handed out for not wearing a face mask in shops and supermarkets have been issued by West Mercia Police, the latest figures reveal.

However, the scale of the penalties was branded ‘proportionate’ by West Mercia’s Police and Crime Commissioner.

West Mercia Police has so far handed out 57 £200 fines to people for not wearing a mask in a ‘relevant’ place.

Figures provided by the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) show 172 fines have been handed out across the country for not wearing a mask in shops and supermarkets since July 24 with penalties issued by West Mercia Police accounting for a sizeable proportion of all the country’s face mask fines.

Coronavirus legislation defines a ‘relevant’ place as shops, supermarkets, shopping centres, post offices, banks, bus and train stations and other transport hubs.

A total of 234 fines have been handed out by West Mercia Police since lockdown began according to NPCC figures.

The force has not handed out any fines for gatherings of more than 30 people.

The majority of fines were handed out under the first set of coronavirus regulations, known as ‘number one’ which came to an end on July 3 with 169 penalties issued.

A total of 64 fines have since been handed out by police since new coronavirus legislation, called ‘number two,’ was introduced on July 4.

West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said, “It’s been encouraging to see that the majority of people in West Mercia have continued to do the right thing and adhered to the enhanced restrictions set by Government that are now in force.

“I am reassured that West Mercia Police are playing a proactive and proportionate role in supporting our communities during this health emergency.

“The role of the police is to support and work with communities, but also ultimately enforce the law in a fair and proportionate way.

“I am reassured that the number of Covid-19 related tickets issued in West Mercia represents a tiny proportion of our population, reinforcing the fact that the majority continue to do the right thing.

“The West Mercia Chief Constable has been very clear that the minority that flout the restrictions will be on the receiving end of enforcement activity, and I fully support the stance that West Mercia Police have taken.

“We need to continue to act together as a community in response to the threat this virus presents.”

Face mask rules first came into place on June 15 with passengers on public transport told they must wear one.

Masks were then made mandatory in shops and supermarkets on July 24.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson then announced on September 22 that people working in retail, those travelling in taxis, and staff and customers in indoor hospitality (except while seated at a table to eat or drink) would have to wear face masks.

Those failing to wear a face mask where required are fined £200 for the first offence, reduced to £100 if paid within 14 days.

Repeat offenders will have their fines doubled at each offence, up to a maximum of £6,400.

A total of 20,223 penalties were issued in England and Wales between March 27 and October 19.

This includes 18,646 issued under number one regulations, 530 under number two regulations, 66 for holding a gathering of more than 30 people and 980 notices issued in relation to breaches of local lockdowns.

The majority of fine issued for breaches of local lockdowns were issued in two forces – 374 in Greater Manchester and 366 in Northumbria.