Hertfordshire police issue two fines to travellers for failing to self-isolate on arrival

Travellers returning from abroad must self-isolate for two weeks, unless their destination is exempt under the travel corridor list
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Hertfordshire police have issued two fines to people for failing to self-isolate after arriving from a country on the quarantine list, new figures show.

But with just a few dozen punishments handed out across England, the chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council said that stretched forces would not get into a “manhunt scenario” to find those not obeying the rules.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Travellers returning from abroad must self-isolate for two weeks, unless their destination is exempt under the travel corridor list.

Hertfordshire police issue two fines to travellers for failing to self-isolate on arrivalHertfordshire police issue two fines to travellers for failing to self-isolate on arrival
Hertfordshire police issue two fines to travellers for failing to self-isolate on arrival

Data published by the NPCC shows two fines were recorded by Hertfordshire Constabulary between March 27 and September 21 for people failing to do so.

The area's police force was one of just 14 across England and Wales to issue fines, with 38 dished out in total.

Chief Superintendent Matt Nicholls, of Hertfordshire Constabulary, said: "As coronavirus case numbers increase locally, we all understand the importance of following the regulations and quarantining on return to the UK is just one of the ways people can play their part and help stop the spread.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"The actions of these people is irresponsible. To leave home while they should be self-isolating, potentially encountering a number of other people and putting them at risk is simply selfish.

"We must all continue to play our part in reducing the spread of COVID-19 and our action towards these individuals should serve as a stark warning to any others who believe that they can blatantly ignore COVID-19 regulations without consequence."

But the NPCC figures showed hundreds of travellers suspected of breaking quarantine rules across England had not been traced.

Up to September 22, 4,114 cases were referred to police by health authorities.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Of these, 240 people were found not to live at the address they had given, and in 440 cases there was no answer when officers attended an address.

The vast majority (3,216 cases) were found to be complying with self-isolation rules, but 218 were in breach and were spoken to by officers to encourage them to comply.

NPCC chairman Martin Hewitt admitted there is no “foolproof system” to stop people flouting the rules and that stretched forces would not get into a “manhunt scenario” to find people who are not following the rules.

He said: “We have to be reliant that most people will be responsible, will accept that personal responsibility and will be sensible, but equally, there also has to be a response that is proportionate.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It also has to be something that’s within the capacity of the service to deliver against when we have all the other demands that we have.”

Separate NPCC figures showed the number of fines for breaking Covid-19 lockdown laws in Hertfordshire by September 21 was revised down by one compared to August 18.

This means 273 fixed penalty notices have been issued in the area since the Coronavirus Regulations were introduced.

None of these were due to breaches of the “rule of six” lockdown regulations, which came into effect on September 14, although there may be a lag in reporting so the number could change when figures are updated.

Just 15 were handed out across England that week.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In total, 18,912 lockdown fines have been issued in England and Wales so far, though just 151 of these occurred in the five weeks to September 21.

Police forces can issue a £60 penalty, reduced to £30 if paid within two weeks, for breaches of the lockdown rules – but just half of the fines handed out in England and Wales so far have been paid.

Mr Hewitt added: “It is crucial that people do everything they can, including limiting social contact, to reduce the spread of coronavirus. The country is at a critical point, and personal choices will matter in the weeks and months to come.

“Thank you to the vast majority of the public for sticking to the rules and following the guidance in place to limit the spread of the virus.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“A small minority, however, are not following the rules, and are making decisions which put lives at risk – they should expect to have enforcement action taken against them.”

Hertfordshire police have also not given out any fines to people for failing to wear a face covering on public transport or in shops, with 89 elsewhere in England and Wales.