By Lincolnshire Police has handed out almost 700 fines for breaching coronavirus restrictions since the start of the pandemic.
The most recent fines issued were to two men found hiding in a shed in Lincoln. Officers did not believe the one man who told them he’d never heard of coronavirus.
The force said in the early days of the pandemic fines were only issued as a last resort, but that has now changed.
Superintendent Paul Timmins from Lincolnshire Police said:
We’ve kinda got to the point where people should know the rules, and we’re moving a little bit away from the educate and engage process to more enforcement. But also we have been seeing more people finding it difficult or challenging to stick to the rules.” from Supt Paul Timmins Lincolnshire Police
Sup. Paul Timmins
Lincolnshire Police Chief Inspector Andy Morrice said: “We continue to engage with the public to try and keep everyone safe, but we will also issue fines to those who choose to flagrantly breach the rules.
“The vaccination programme is going extremely well in Lincolnshire, but it is now as important as ever to stick to the rules. Remember that people are still getting seriously ill and are still dying.
“We have a roadmap out of this pandemic, and if people continue to abide by the guidance we will get through this.”
