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| Coronavirus: Police criticise 'selfish' lockdown rule-breakers | Coronavirus: Police criticise 'selfish' lockdown rule-breakers |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| A small number of "irresponsible and selfish people" are "repeatedly and wilfully" flouting coronavirus lockdown rules, according to Police Scotland. | A small number of "irresponsible and selfish people" are "repeatedly and wilfully" flouting coronavirus lockdown rules, according to Police Scotland. |
| Deputy Chief Constable Malcolm Graham said this "small minority" have now received multiple fines. | Deputy Chief Constable Malcolm Graham said this "small minority" have now received multiple fines. |
| Officers have made 78 arrests and issued 1,637 fixed penalty notices in Scotland since 27 March. | |
| Most of the enforcement action has been taken in response to house parties and other public gatherings. | Most of the enforcement action has been taken in response to house parties and other public gatherings. |
| People are being told to stay at home during the lockdown period, only leaving if they have a "reasonable excuse". | |
| Police have been given emergency powers with which to enforce the rules. | Police have been given emergency powers with which to enforce the rules. |
| Senior offices have previously said the large majority of people in Scotland are following the guidelines. | Senior offices have previously said the large majority of people in Scotland are following the guidelines. |
| But Mr Graham said people must not be tempted to ignore the rules as the lockdown enters its fifth week and the warm weather continues. | But Mr Graham said people must not be tempted to ignore the rules as the lockdown enters its fifth week and the warm weather continues. |
| He said officers have been redeployed from "back office" functions to the frontline and non-essential training has been cancelled. | He said officers have been redeployed from "back office" functions to the frontline and non-essential training has been cancelled. |
| "In Scotland, we have been able to deploy a large number of officers into community policing and increased focused patrols in areas such as parks, beauty spots and town and city centres during this health emergency," he added. | "In Scotland, we have been able to deploy a large number of officers into community policing and increased focused patrols in areas such as parks, beauty spots and town and city centres during this health emergency," he added. |
| "This means Police Scotland is likely to be engaging with a large proportion of people who do not stay at home." | "This means Police Scotland is likely to be engaging with a large proportion of people who do not stay at home." |
| He said police officers and the public must take a "common sense approach". | He said police officers and the public must take a "common sense approach". |
| "If you are out and about, officers may ask you why," he added. "Please, explain your individual circumstances, listen to their instructions and obey the law. | |
| "We will, as we have been required to do on a very infrequent basis, take enforcement action where necessary. | |
| "On the small number of occasions where officers have taken enforcement action, this has largely been in response to house parties or public gatherings, while a small minority of irresponsible and selfish people who repeatedly and wilfully break the law, have now received multiple fixed penalty notices." | "On the small number of occasions where officers have taken enforcement action, this has largely been in response to house parties or public gatherings, while a small minority of irresponsible and selfish people who repeatedly and wilfully break the law, have now received multiple fixed penalty notices." |
| Fines start at £30, doubling to £60 if they are not paid within 28 days. Repeat offenders can face fines of up to £960. | Fines start at £30, doubling to £60 if they are not paid within 28 days. Repeat offenders can face fines of up to £960. |
| Mr Graham said Police Scotland's use of their new emergency powers would be the subject of an independent, external review led by John Scott QC. Police criticise 'selfish' lockdown rule-breakers | |
| "Mr Scott and his group can provide significant value to our thinking and operational practice," he added. | "Mr Scott and his group can provide significant value to our thinking and operational practice," he added. |
| "We will engage with them on an ongoing basis as we keep our values of integrity, fairness, respect and the upholding of human rights at the centre of all we do." | "We will engage with them on an ongoing basis as we keep our values of integrity, fairness, respect and the upholding of human rights at the centre of all we do." |