Over 140 Fines Issued In 3 Days For Breaches Of Lockdown Rules

Police have released body-cam footage of officers dealing with people floating lockdown restrictions in Leicestershire.

The force has revealed 142 fines were handed out last weekend, to the value of £57,800

Incidents included house parties, a car cruise, people from more than one household gathering inside together and people travelling in the same vehicle, but not being from the same households

Assistant Chief Constable Kerry Smith said: “Over the weekend we dealt with a number incidents where people had no excuse for their behaviour. Some of the reasons for being outside were ridiculous and this is what officers are having to deal with.

“We cannot be clearer about how this is the only way to stop the spread of the virus. Stay at home, protect the NHS.

“There really is no excuse this far into the pandemic for people to be taking these risks”

The following outlines some of the breaches this weekend (8/9/10^th Jan) .

Here are the most outstanding examples from this weekend.

• 37 fines were issued at Castle Donnington where people gathered for a car event (Car Cruise). Many had travelled from out of county and had no reason to be there. (10 Jan)
• A couple from Huddersfield were fined as they were stopped in their vehicle. They stated they were visiting a cousin. (8 Jan)
• Police were called to a private address in Stretton where six men were claiming to be having a business meeting over beer and food. All were from different households and none were bubbled together. (8 Jan)
• Officers spotted a number of people entering an address in Alfred Place, Leicester City Centre, wearing party attire. When they made enquiries there were 30+ people at the address who were dispersed and the organisers fined. (9 Jan)
• Vehicle stopped at McDonald’s Wigston found to contain 4 males from different households (9 Jan)
• A man was fined after police found he was still taking customers in his nail bar in Stockwell. Head. Two women who were waiting to have their nails done were also spoken to. (9 Jan)
• Man and woman from Bradford fined once vehicle stopped in Leicester – no reasonable excuse given. (9 Jan)
• A man from Bradgate Drive, Coalville was fined after he said he didn’t believe in the pandemic and that it was fine that his brother came to visit him from Manchester. (9 Jan)
• Officers attended an address on Avenue Road Extension where a birthday party of around 11 people from different households had taken place. The household was fined. (10 Jan)
• Vehicle stopped with two men inside, one of which had travelled from Coventry to spend the night with his cousin. (10 Jan)
• Officers attended Belgrave Gate in the early hours of Sunday morning after a group of 20 people were seen in 4/5 cars, hugging and dancing in the street on CCTV. (10 Jan)