Coronavirus rule breakers risk being fined by the police
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Anyone caught ignoring the lockdown now faces being fined – with the penalties potentially rising as high as £960
The police now have the power under the Coronavirus Act to issue £30 fixed penalty notices.
The fine will rise to £60 if not paid within a fortnight
Second-time offenders will be fined £120.
After that the penalties will double for each offence afterwards, rising up to a maximum of £960 for a fifth offence.
Those who don't pay will be taken to court, where magistrates will be able to impose unlimited fines.
Under the new Act the rules must be reviewed at least once every 21 days, starting on April 16.
Announcing the new police powers, Home Secretary Priti Patel said: "All our frontline services really are the best of us and are doing an incredible job to stop this terrible virus from spreading.
"That’s why I’m giving the police these new enforcement powers, to protect the public and keep people safe."
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