Over 600 coronavirus breach fines in Wales have not been paid

Almost a third of the fines issued for alleged breaches of Covid-19 laws in Wales have not been paid, according to the UK Government’s Attorney General.

In a letter to the Justice Committee, Suella Braverman revealed just 1,555 fixed penalty notices in Wales had been paid.

Figures published in the letter, dated August 25, showed that 629 in Wales had not been paid in time and can be considered for prosecution.

The figures were even poorer in England where only 7,375 of 16,329 fines had been paid.

Police were given powers to fine people for breaching coronavirus restrictions from March 27.

Criminal proceedings can be initiated against people who fail to pay tickets they have accepted within 28 days, or immediately where the FPN is not accepted.

 

Penalty

In May it was revealed that over 1,500 fines had so far been issued for breaching the lockdown in Wales.

At the time, Dyfed-Powys Police, which covers the counties of Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys, issued by far the highest number of penalties – almost seven times that of any other force.

South Wales Police issued the second-highest number, followed by North Wales Police, Gwent Police and British Transport Police. The totals were:

• Dyfed-Powys Police – 1,097
• South Wales Police – 157
• North Wales Police – 143
• Gwent Police – 71
• British Transport Police – 11

The fines handed out were all set at £60, an amount that reduced to £30 if paid within two weeks of the offence. The fine was then doubled for each repeat offence, up to a maximum of £960.

The Welsh Government’s ‘five mile rule’ was finally brought to an end at the beginning of July.