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More than 2,200 fines have been issued in Wales for breaches of the coronavirus lockdown laws, according to new figures.
The provisional data was released by the National Police Chiefs’ Council on Thursday (June 11), and covers incidents between March 27 and June 8.
Of a total of 2,282 fines, the overwhelming majority have been issued by Dyfed-Powys Police.
The force issued a total of 1,509 penalty notices up until June 8. This is the highest number of fines issued by any force in England and Wales during the period, by more than 400.
In Wales, the second highest number of fines was 350, issued by North Wales Police.
Meanwhile, South Wales Police issued a total of 281 fines, and Gwent Police handed out 118.
British Transport Police also issued 24 fines this side of the Welsh border, compared to 325 in England.
In England, a total of 15,715 have been issued.
The police forces to issue the highest numbers in England were Metropolitan Police (1,063), North Yorkshire Police (1,082) and Devon and Cornwall Police (948).
The NPCC said fines have been handed to people for driving with others who are not members of their household, for house parties, large gatherings and camping.
NPCC chairman Martin Hewitt said: “We’re now near to closing the first month away from full lockdown.
“Soon, shops will be open again, and there will be more people outdoors going about their business.
“Our approach of engaging, explaining and encouraging continues to be successful.
“A fine is issued following engagement to establish the circumstances, explanation of what the regulations are and why they’re in breach of them, and encouragement to stop their activity and return home.”
Of course, lockdown rules for Wales and England remain dramatically different for both countries, with the latest change seeing Boris Johnson permit “support bubbles” in England. You can read more on the differences in rules between Wales and England here.
The NPCC said most fines are still handed to young men, aged between 18 and 24, and are most likely to be given at weekends and during spells of warmer weather.
Police were given powers to break up gatherings and fine people for breaching restriction of movement rules under the Health Protection Regulations 2020, from March 27.
In Wales, fines carry penalties of £60, reduced to £30 if paid within two weeks. The fine doubles for each repeat offence up to a £960 maximum.
Higher fines have been brought in in England starting at £100, reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days. They can rise to a maximum of £3,200 for subsequent offences.
Here’s the full list according to police force in Wales and England:
Wales – total of 2,282 fines
British Transport Police – 24 Dyfed-Powys – 1,509 Gwent Police – 118 North Wales Police – 350 South Wales Police – 281
England – total of 15,715 fines
Avon and Somerset – 342 Bedfordshire – 291 British Transport Police – 325 Cambridgeshire – 134 Cheshire – 199 City of London – 66 Cleveland – 299 Cumbria – 597 Derbyshire – 251 Devon and Cornwall – 948 Dorset – 819 Durham – 170 Essex – 241 Gloucestershire – 234 Greater Manchester – 304 Hampshire – 244 Hertfordshire – 269 Humberside – 121 Kent – 117 Lancashire – 770 Leicestershire – 365 Lincolnshire – 231 Merseyside – 487 Metropolitan Police – 1,063 MoD Police – 35 Norfolk – 411 North Yorkshire – 1,082 Northamptonshire – 365 Northumbria – 272 Nottinghamshire – 185 South Yorkshire – 377 Staffordshire – 41 Suffolk – 259 Surrey – 498 Sussex – 849 Thames Valley – 816 Warwickshire – 58 West Mercia – 176 West Midlands – 393 West Yorkshire – 826 Wiltshire – 185
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