Merseyside Police handed out 277 Covid-related fines during the first two weeks of England's recent lockdown, figures show.
Data released this week by the National Police Chiefs Council shows that there 1,977 fines for lockdown breaches handed out by forces across the country.
Greater Manchester Police handed out the most fines, with 309,
Fines for violating coronavirus restrictions can go into the thousands as police forces continue to appeal to the public to follow the rules in place in their area to help slow the spread of coronavirus.
Merseyside Police made a renewed appeal just after the start of lockdown when three people from Wirral were hit with £10,000 fixed penalty notices for holding a bonfire on open land.
Following the issuing of those fines, Chief Inspector Matthew Moscrop said: “There was a blatant disregard for Covid-19 restrictions, with hundreds of people in attendance drinking alcohol, mixing with other households and ignoring social distancing.
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"We have consistently encouraged people to comply with guidance and explained why it is so important. But when someone so brazenly flouts legislation it leaves us with no option but to take strong enforcement action.
“We are continuing to encourage people to continue to follow the restrictions and avoid bonfires on public land tonight but where necessary we will not hesitate to take the same action because the safety of vulnerable people in Merseyside and our key healthcare workers depends on it.
“We have now entered a month of further national restrictions and it is more important than ever that we all play our role in stopping the spread of coronavirus.”
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