MP raises concerns over Melton Covid-19 offenders to Boris Johnson

Alicia Kearns, MP for Rutland and Melton

The concerns of Melton and Rutland residents about people who break Covid-19 social distancing restrictions were raised at Prime Minister’s Questions this afternoon (Monday).

Melton MP Alicia Kearns, speaking on a remote online link to the House of Commons, flagged up the issue to Boris Johnson after he had revealed his roadmap for moving the country forward from the current lockdown.

Addressing the Prime Minister, Mrs Kearns: “Constituents of Rutland and Melton have written to me about their concerns about the few offenders who continue to consistently flout the rules.

“Will my Right Honourable Friend confirm how great the increase will be in the fines to make clear that the danger from the virus is not yet over?”

Mr Johnson said the fine would now be £100, reducing to £50 if paid inside two weeks, and would increase if repeated multiple times up to £3,600.

The fine was initially £60, or £30 if settled inside 14 days.

Latest figures show 230 fixed notice penalties have been issued by police officers across Leicestershire and Rutland since April 27, according to the National Police Chiefs’ Council.

Almost 9,000 have been issued across England in total.