West Yorkshire one of top 5 worst areas for lockdown flouting fines in England - list in full

West Yorkshire Police is the fifth-highest force in England for the number of fines handed out to lockdown flouters.

The figure of 460 fines represents more than 5% of all fines handed out in the country, and is higher than North Yorkshire and significantly higher than South Yorkshire.

Only two London forces, Lancashire and Devon & Cornwall issued more fines than West Yorkshire Police.

More than 9,000 fines have been handed to people in England and Wales for allegedly flouting Covid-19 lockdown laws.

Police have been given powers to hand out a £60 penalty, that is reduced to £30 if paid within two weeks, for breaches of the lockdown rules.

Data released by the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) on Thursday shows 8,877 fixed penalty notices (FPNs) have been recorded by forces in England between March 27 and April 27, while 299 were issued in Wales over the same period.

Some 397 were for repeat offenders, with one person fined six times, three people fined 5 times and six people fined four times.

Deputy Chief Constable Sara Glen said that, nationally, reports of anti-social behaviour more than doubled to around 215,000 in the four weeks to April 27, compared to about 106,000 in the same period last year.

Ms Glen said younger people were more likely to breach the lockdown rules, with figures showing around eight out of 10 people fined were men, a third were aged between 18-24 and another third aged 25-34.

"The vast majority of the fines that we're seeing enforced are people actually not complying, being out in public spaces where they don't have a reasonable excuse to do so, not listening to the officers' advice in respect of engaging and explaining to the extent where the officer then has to issue a ticket to secure compliance," she said.

"There are some definite correlations when it gets hot and when it is good weather where we see troublesome spots, whether that's beaches or whether that's countryside, rural communities where people want to go and walk.

"We definitely have seen that when we've had hot weather but, on the whole, we are seeing as soon as officers arrive, as soon as they engage and explain, the vast, vast majority of the public are adhering to the rules."

Of the 43 regional police forces in England and Wales, Thames Valley Police recorded the highest number of fines, with 649, while Warwickshire issued the fewest, with just 22.

NPCC chairman Martin Hewitt said: "As the latest provisional figures on the number of fines issued show, the vast majority of people continue to do the right thing, staying at home in order to protect the NHS and help save lives.

"The figures also show our use of the enforcement powers remains proportionate with just 0.02% of the population in England being issued with a fine."

Here are the police forces in England which have handed out the most fines for flouting lockdown between March 27 and April 27:

1 Thames Valley (London) - 649

2 Met Police (London) - 640

3 Lancashire - 633

4 Devon & Cornwall - 510

5 West Yorkshire Police - 460

6 North Yorkshire - 458

7 Sussex - 348

8 Surrey - 346

9 West Midlands - 322

10 South Yorkshire - 258

West Yorkshire Police said in response to the figures:

"West Yorkshire Police has issued 460 Covid 19 related fixed penalty notices since the beginning of lockdown, 279 in the latest two week period, as most people continue to follow the Stay Home, Stay Safe advice

"Assistant Chief Constable Tim Kingsman said he was realty pleased with the high levels of compliance.

"He said: “West Yorkshire Police’s position is really clear.

“We would rather not issue any fixed penalties and always put the emphasis on the engage, explain and encourage element of the four E’s, with enforcement as a last option.

“Thankfully, most people have remained compliant, which continues to make our job and the job of the health and care workers, that much easier.

“Our position of fifth overall, for fixed penalties issued, compared to other forces, is what would be expected for the fourth largest police force.”

"When broken down to volume per 1,000 population, West Yorkshire Police sits at 16th and below the national average.

“Ideally, we wouldn’t like to issue any more penalty notices, which is achievable if everyone follows the lockdown rules.

"Realistically, we know that won’t happen and there will be breaches, sometimes repeated breaches by individuals, but I again urge people to be part of the solution. Stay at home, stay safe and help our NHS and care workers to get into a position where the country can begin to return to normality.

“I would also again take this opportunity to say a huge than you to health and care and other key workers, particularly my own officers and staff who continue to work tirelessly and of course to the public for their continued support.”

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