Derbyshire police issue lockdown travel fines update

Police in Derbyshire have responded to new guidance about lockdown travel after controversy over fines handed out to people exercising.
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People have been told to stay at home during the third national lockdown but they are allowed to travel for exercise and though they are asked to stay local no acceptable distance is specified.

Derbyshire Constabulary today came under fire for issuing £200 fines to two women who had driven five miles to walk together at a beauty spot.

Police in Derbyshire say they are reviewing the fines issuedPolice in Derbyshire say they are reviewing the fines issued
Police in Derbyshire say they are reviewing the fines issued
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The force now says it has received further guidance from the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) clarifying the police response regarding travel for exercise.

It states: “UK Government guidance strongly requests that people do not leave their local area. However, the Covid Regulations which officers enforce and which enables them to issue FPNs for breaches, do not restrict the distance travelled for exercise.

“Police officers will be inquisitive about why people are out of their homes and will explain the regulations and encourage people to comply. Where people are breaching the regulations and are away from home without a reasonable excuse, they may be issued with a FPN. In situations where people are breaching the guidance not to travel out their local area but are not breaching regulations, officers will encourage people to follow the guidance.”

The guidance suggests officers were indeed wrong to fine the women who had driven to the beauty spot, and the force said that all fixed penalty notices issued during the relevant period would be reviewed for compliance.

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Assistant Chief Constable Kem Mehmet said: “Since the start of the pandemic Derbyshire Constabulary have been working to understand the ever-changing guidance and legislation and to communicate this to our officers in a way that makes it clear what is the right course of action to take.

“We are grateful for the guidance from the NPCC and our officers will continue to use the 4Es approach (Engage, Explain, Encourage and Enforce) and will of course encourage people to follow the guidance and where appropriate deal with breaches of the regulations.

“The actions of our officers continues to be to protect the public, the NHS and to help save lives.”