Police have suspended on-the-spot £10,000 Covid fines over fears people who choose to go to court can get away with paying less.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said officers will not be dishing out the fixed notice penalties amid the ‘inequalities’.
The new system will see flouters get a summons to go to a magistrates’ court and be means tested.
It could see them paying less than £10,000 or having more time to pay it back after they are assessed.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said officers will not be dishing out the fixed notice penalties amid the ‘inequalities’ (file photo)
The NPCC wants to change its advice to police so officers can offer people the chance to go to court to be means tested rather than fined on the spot.
It has called for the £10,000 fine to be replaced by a summons while the guidance is finalised.
People are fined if they break government coronavirus rules by hosting raves or events or do not self-isolate when told to.
It comes after police shut down three illegal parties in one night across Merseyside this week.
Officers were called to three properties over the weekend and slapped organisers with fines following the breach of lockdown regulations.
Twenty-seven revellers were issued with fixed penalty notices at a rental property on Lace Street, Liverpool City Centre, on Saturday at 6.10pm after reports of a party.
Twenty-seven revellers were issued with fixed penalty notices at a rental property on Lace Street, Liverpool City Centre, (pictured, stock image) on Saturday at 6.10pm after reports of a party
Police were also called to a gathering at a property at 12.20am on Oldham Street, Liverpool, (pictured, stock image) where two fixed penalties were issued
Police were also called to a gathering at a property at 12.20am on Oldham Street, Liverpool, where two fixed penalties were issued.
Seven people on-board a moored boat on Coburg Wharf, Liverpool City Centre, were issued with fixed penalty notices and a quantity of Class A drugs were seized.
Police were called to the boat at 7am following reports that a party was taking place.
The value of the fine is dependent on a number of factors including when the fine is paid and the number of offences committed, but can be up to £10,000.
Superintendent Diana Pownall told how Merseyside Police are ‘seeing an increased number of reports from members of the public in relation to these illegal gatherings’.
She said: ‘We are seeing an increased number of reports from members of the public in relation to these illegal gatherings which shows how annoying and frustrating it has become for those who are abiding by the law when they see people blatantly ignoring it.
‘We have all had special occasions which we have had to postpone or adapt during the Coronavirus restrictions and lockdown.
‘These people are no different than the rest of us but their selfish actions suggest that they think they are above the law.
Seven people on-board a moored boat on Coburg Wharf, Liverpool City Centre, were issued with fixed penalty notices and a quantity of Class A drugs were seized
‘The law is clear – people should not be gathering in groups with people who are not in their own household or support bubble. The restrictions are in place for a reason – to ensure that we can stop the spread of the virus and keep ourselves, our loved ones and other people safe.
‘We have constantly sought to engage and explain to the public what the restrictions mean – and as always we would like to thank the people who have done what has been asked of them.
‘With our partners we are here to keep everyone safe and we make no apologies for taking action when people choose to break the law.’
Merseyside and Greater Manchester have seen their coronavirus figures rocket over the past month.
There have been 226,434 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the North West of England since the start of the pandemic.
It has seen the highest number of Covid cases in the nation, reaching 416.1 per 100,000 people, last week.
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