How many covid fines have been issued in Rutland and Leicestershire?

From men having a boozy 'business meeting' to households mixing in cars, police have released the recent reasons they have issued covid fines.

Despite the country being in a national lockdown, hundreds of incidents have been reported of people flouting covid rules in Rutland and Leicestershire.

Over the weekend, Leicestershire Police officers attended the breaches and issued offenders with a total of 142 fixed penalty notices to the value of £57,800.

This included an incident on Friday (January 8) in which six men gathered at a private address in Stretton.

The men, who claimed they were having a business meeting over beer and food, were from different households and none were 'bubbled' together.

Leicestershire Police has reminded people of the importance of staying as near to home as possible and only leaving with a permitted excuse.

Assistant chief constable, Kerry Smith, said: “Over the weekend we dealt with a number incidents where people had no excuse for their behaviour.

"Some of the reasons for being outside were ridiculous and this is what officers are having to deal with.

“We cannot be clearer about how this is the only way to stop the spread of the virus.

"Stay at home, protect the NHS.

“There really is no excuse this far into the pandemic for people to be taking these risks.”