Covid fines fall away

 

Accompanying regulations required people to remain indoors during lockdown, adhere to social distancing, and wear face masks in certain public places.  More than 100,000 people were issued fines for breaches of the law or the regulations and almost 2,000 who refused to pay the fines were prosecuted.

 

Figures released by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) showed that all of the 270 cases charged under the Coronavirus Act had been dropped before making it to court, with the vast majority of prosecutions withdrawn because the police had charged people with the wrong offence.

 

The regulations changed more than 60 times during the pandemic as lockdowns were introduced and lifted. Sources at the CPS said there was often confusion among the police regarding which part of the law to apply leading to many cases being withdrawn. 

 

CPS director of legal services, Gregor McGill, said: "The CPS has said throughout that coronavirus rule breaches should be treated as serious given the public health risks and many of these prosecutions were brought against people accused of wider offending. However, it is right that any errors are rectified as part of this review. We will continue to work closely with police colleagues and other partners to ensure a consistent interpretation of these laws for as long as they remain in place."

 

Mandy Peters Solicitors 

Lewisham