COPS have admitted they will struggle to break up large gatherings as the coronavirus lockdown eases on Monday.
Martin Hewitt, chairman of the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), today said it would be “challenging” to clamp down on law breakers when the Rule of Six returns next week.
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The Government’s ‘stay at home’ rule will end on Monday, with up to six people or two separate households allowed to meet up outside.
But police chiefs worry that enforcing the rules as restrictions ease could be a challenge – with Brits tempted to gather in large groups in the warmer weather.
There are also fears that Brits could meet in larger groups than six people – but claim they are from two households.
Mr Hewitt told a press briefing: “As we look to March 29, it will become more challenging for our officers to distinguish between who is and who isn’t breaching restrictions out and about.
“The most important thing is controlling the virus and we can best do that by focusing our efforts on large indoor gatherings like parties and unlicensed music events.”
He added: “We know from our experience last summer that when the weather gets better, and the restrictions are loosened, raves will start to spring up.
“We will continue our efforts to double down and preferably stop them before they happen.
“Any person who organises or attends these events clearly doesn’t need the regulations explaining to them and we will not hesitate to issue fines where necessary.”
It comes as the NPCC also today unveiled new data on fines issued to rule-breakers during lockdown.
Almost 100,000 fines have been handed out for breaches of coronavirus regulations since they first came into force last year, the figures show.
Some 25,416 of those, or more than a quarter, were issued in the latest four-week period – down from more than 26,000 the previous month.
According to the new stats, the vast majority of fines (over 7 in 10) were issued to men.
Around three quarters of all fines were given to under-35s and 46 per cent to 18-24 year olds.
The figures also show a total of 284 £10,000 fines have been handed to organisers of mass gatherings of more than 30 people, including illegal raves, parties and protests, in England, with three in Wales.
