Over 200 people have been slammed with fines in Merseyside for breaking coronavirus lockdown rules.
Figures released by the National Police Chiefs' Council on April 30, show the number of people who have been handed a Fixed Penalty Notice by police, for breaching government public health regulations.
A total of 8,877 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) have been recorded by police forces in England up to April 2.
Of that figure, 217 fines have been given to people by Merseyside Police.
The new police powers rolled out on March 27 to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, enable officers to hand out £60 fines if people fail to comply with coronavirus rules.
The fines are only issued after officers have engaged with people, explained the risks and encouraged them to abide by the rules.
The figures show that a total of 82 per cent of fines in England were given to men, and 15 per cent to women, with three per cent unknown.
A total of 36 per cent of fines were issued to those aged 18 to 24, with 31 per cent going to those aged from 25 to 34.
NPCC Chair 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 per cent of the population in England being issued with a fine.
“I want to thank people for continuing to follow the regulations – I recognise it’s not easy and that this is a challenging time for us all.
“Our approach of – engage, explain and encourage, and only as a last resort, enforce –will continue. It is working.
“I urge the public to keep going, keep following the advice: stay home, protect the NHS and save lives.”
