Report Summary
A Public Briefing outlining analysis of Fixed Penalty Notices issued during the COVID-19 pandemic. Published in October 2021.
Fixed Penalty Notices During the Pandemic
In 2020, the UK and Scottish Governments introduced separate pieces of legislation in order to reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in our communities.
Each piece of legislation contains separate powers for Scottish police officers which provides them with the powers to help ensure that the restrictions in place across the country are being followed.
The fundamental principles of both the UK and the Scottish legislation are to reduce transmission and keep people safe.
The vast majority of the public have and will continue to comply with the current restrictions.
The policing style adopted is central to maintaining Police Scotland’s commitment to policing by consent.
Officers should engage, explain, encourage and enforce.
This could be by asking individuals, groups or businesses whether they have heard about the new regulations and restrictions.
Officers will stress the risks to public health and the NHS. If police efforts to engage with people, explain the regulations and legislation and encourage people to follow the rules fail then enforcement action will be taken.
The police can:
Tell people to disperse.
Tell parents to stop their children breaking the rules.
Issue a fixed penalty notice.
In Scotland people aged 18 or over can be issued with a fixed penalty notice, which are as follows:
£60 for the first offence, lowered to £30 if paid within 28 days.
£120 for the second offence, then doubling for each further offence up to a maximum of £960.
If someone continues to ignore the instructions, the police can arrest them if they think it is proportionate and necessary.
