Priti Patel has notified Brits that if they don’t adhere to the country’s coronavirus lockout laws by organizing illegal parties, they face massive fines of more than £ 6,000.
On Thursday, January 21, after acknowledging earlier this week it is still ‘a long way’ before limits will begin to be lifted, the Home Secretary chaired a Downing Street briefing.
Ms. Patel was joined by Martin Hewitt, Chairman of the Council of National Police Chiefs, and Dr Vin Diwakar, Regional Medical Director for London for NHS England.
Ms. Patel revealed at the briefing that anyone attending a house party of more than 15 people will face a £ 800 fine, which would increase to a maximum of £ 6,400 for repeat offenders.
“The science is clear. Such reckless behavior presents a severe risk to public health, not only to those in participation but also to our great police officers who attend this event to shut them down.”
The chairman of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, Martin Hewitt, said: “When we [the police] see people putting themselves and others at risk, we won’t waste time trying to reason with them.”
“They are demonstrating no regard for the safety of others or even themselves.”
Mr Hewitt also reported that police around the country have issued 250 fixed penalty notices bearing £ 10,000 fines to individuals who have coordinated large parties or events since late August last year and up to January 17 this year.