Up until 2 December, people can now be hit with a £1,000 fine for failing to self-isolate when ordered to, with the penalty increasing up to £10,000 for repeat offences. Attending or organising large gatherings exceeding 30 people also carries a £10,000 fine, while businesses face the same penalty for refusing to comply with restrictions. Here are 11 of the biggest fines that have been issued by police for flouting the rules.
5. West Midlands birthday party - £10,000
The organiser of a birthday party in Wolverhapton attended by up to 60 people was handed a £10,000 fine after flouting lockdown rules on gatherings. Police found balloon arches, food and hard liquor inside the function room, despite the premises having no alcohol licence. Photo: Shutterstock
6. Merseyside bonfire - £10,000
Two 36 year old men and a 43 year old woman were each issued a £10,000 fine by Merseyside police for breaching Covid rules after large crowds gathered for a bonfire and threw fireworks at officers in Wirral. Photo: Shutterstock
7. Wiltshire house party - £10,000
The family of a teenager in Wiltshire were issued a £10,000 fine for a house party which broke Covid restrictions, after police found between 80 and 100 people in attendance. However, the 18 year old organiser claimed it spiralled out of control after the event was shared on social media, leading to gatecrashers. The family have since filed a complaint with police and are in contact with a solicitor. Photo: Christopher Furlong
8. Bristol events venue - £10,000
The owner of an events venue in Bristol was fined £10,000 after a second breach of Covid regulations for “running his establishment as a nightclub.” Avon and Somerset Police said dozens of people were found inside the Jack of Diamonds and less than a week earlier, the owner had been given a £1,000 fine for operating past the 10pm curfew. Photo: DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS