West Yorkshire Police warn officers will use new powers if people break lockdown rules
A West Yorkshire Police chief has said that officers will use new enforcement powers if people break the coronavirus lockdown.
In a video, Chief Constable John Robins, explains that officers will stop people to find out why they are on the road.
He says officers will now use the new police powers when they need to - especially with people who are "deliberately breaching the restrictions and putting other people’s lives at risk."
The Home Office announced earlier today that people who break the lockdown rules will face arrest and fines.
Officers can also tell them to go home, leave or disperse an area and ensure parents are taking necessary steps to stop their children breaking the law.
Those who refuse to comply will be given a fixed penalty notice of £60, which will be lowered to £30 if paid within 14 days.
Repeat offenders will be issued a fixed penalty notice of £120, doubling on each further repeat offence.
Individuals who do not pay a fixed penalty notice under the regulations could be taken to court, with magistrates able to impose unlimited fines.
If an individual continues to refuse to comply, they will be acting unlawfully, and the police may arrest them where deemed proportionate and necessary.
Announcing the new enforcement powers, Home Secretary Priti Patel said:
''The Prime Minister has been clear on what we need to do: stay at home to protect our NHS and save lives. All our frontline services really are the best of us and are doing an incredible job to stop this terrible virus from spreading.
That’s why I’m giving the police these new enforcement powers, to protect the public and keep people safe.''