Leicestershire Police say some still ‘taking terrible risks’ with Covid

Officers say the majority of residents are continuing to socially distance themselves but that 361 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) to the value of £72,200 have still been issued for coronavirus offences since January 4.

There have been a further 1,246 reports of Covid incidents to police and there were a staggering 22 assaults on police during this period.

Assistant Chief Constable Kerry Smith said: “We have certainly seen an increase in reports to us of Covid rule breaches and therefore as a result we are handing out more Fixed Penalty Notices.

“We share the public’s frustration that the small minority are still taking terrible risks but we continue to police to keep people safe.”

She added: “We are all doing this together and our officers are supporting the NHS effort as best we can.

“We are really grateful for all of those people who are staying in and not taking risks.

“By doing this you are enabling us to do our job tackling crime and supporting victims.”

Since March 23 last year, at the start of the pandemic, Leicestershire Police has given out a total of 1,298 FPNs and has received a total of 20,996 reports of Covid incidents.

This averages out at around 488 reports a week.

The Assistant Chief Constable added: “With vaccine programmes rolling out and there finally being a glimmer of hope, we want the public to continue to contact us, via the website or 101, and tell us where people are ignoring the rules.

“Police officers risk their lives every day and I know how much they appreciate the support of the public, allowing them to tackle crime in our city and counties.”

These are some of the FPN Covid incidents police have dealt with in the county between January 4 and today (Friday).

10 January 10: a man was travelling from Nottingham to Leicester to see a friend – they stated they were not aware they could not travel;

January 13, a man from Sweptstone Road, Heather, who should have been isolating having tested positive for Covid, was picked up by his girlfriend and went to get a takeaway;

**January 13, three people not from same household were found in a car ‘just chillin’ in Loughborough. Fines were issued;

**January 15, a man had driven from Birmingham to see an uncle and friends and also with two other passengers not from the same household;

**January 15, officers attend an address in Leicester with six people ‘extremely intoxicated’ not from the same household;

**January 15, a vehicle was stopped in Glenfield. The occupants had travelled there from London. It was discovered one passenger was wanted on another matter and was therefore arrested;

**January 16, men travelled from London to Leicester with no reasonable excuse to stay overnight with a friend

**January 16, officers attended an address to find a number of people with a bonfire playing darts. One male was aggressive and swore at officers. Fines were given;

**January 16, a driver and three friends from different households travelled from Coventry to Leicester – unable to give an excuse so all fined;

**January 16, a party at an address in Cambridge Street, Leicester;

**January 17, a private address in Narborough was found to be having a birthday party – six people in attendance. Four fined whereas two men ran from police out of the back of the property;

**January 17, two men, not from the same household were found in the same car in Oadby. They met to watch a football match together on their phone. They were given FPNs;

**January 17, offficers attended an address in Leicester to find the owner had invited his friends around for a curry. They stated they were aware of the rules but came around anyway. They were all fined