Number of people moved on by police for breaching lockdown rules surges past 30,000
The number of people moved on by police for breaching lockdown rules has surged past 30,000, according to a new report.
West Midlands Police chiefs have vowed to "take action to keep people safe" after it emerged that officers had issued 30,373 'directions to leave' since the start of the pandemic.
The force has also handed out 1,649 fines – including 19 'super fines' of £10,000 – and arrested 33 people for the most serious breaches of restrictions.
The figures were revealed in a report to the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner's strategic board, and come after Home Secretary Priti Patel ordered forces to ramp up enforcement.
The vast majority of the fines are for breaches taking place since the start of the second lockdown on November 5.
They include fixed penalties administered at anti-lockdown rallies in Wolverhampton and Birmingham, and for Birmingham pub bombings campaigners outside West Midlands Police headquarters.
Maximum fines of £10,000 were introduced for serious rule breaches in September, enabling officers to fine venues and individuals caught holding mass gatherings.
In October a £10,000 fine was issued after a christening with up to 50 guests was held at a home in Blakenhall, Wolverhampton – described by police as a "blatant breach of Covid rules".
The owner of Kasablanca Shisha Lounge in Birmingham was fined the maximum amount in September after 250 people were found inside the premises, as was the owner of a unit on Phoenix Business Park in Walsall after officers broke up an illegal rave.
If fines are not paid within 28 days, recipients can be taken to court.
West Midlands Deputy PCC Waheed Saleem, said the force would continue to hand out fines to people who break the rules.
"People want to have their lives back and to see normality resume," he said.
"However, we cannot afford to give the virus opportunities to spread at such a critical time.
"Those flouting the rules continue to put their lives and the lives of others at severe risk. The police will take action to keep people safe."
