Eighty fines were handed out to people breaking lockdown rules across the Gwent Police force area during the Easter weekend.

According to information from Gwent Police, the fixed penalty notices were issued between Friday, April 10, and Monday, April 13.

Chief Constable Pam Kelly said: “It is a sad fact that a minority, despite our engagement over the past three weeks, of people still chose to go against the guidelines.

“Enforcement is not something that we want to do, but it becomes a necessity if people continue to show contempt for what is being asked of them during this health crisis.

“If this behaviour continues, officers will use the enforcement options available to them. This disregard for the government’s advice has to stop, and it must stop immediately.”

Under The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) Regulations 2020 police have the power to issue £60 fine for a first offence (£30 if paid within 14 days) and £120 for subsequent offences.

The College of Policing has stressed the issuing of fines should be a last resort and that a process of engagement, explanation, encouragement to return home and then enforcement should be practised.

What are the restrictions?

The restrictions in place are broadly similar to those in England, such as not being out with a reasonable excuse and the dispersal of groups, but there are some key differences in Wales.

For example, only being allowed out once a day for exercise is enforceable in Wales, whereas this isn’t the case across the border.

There are also rules in Wales which state employers must ensure their employees are at least two metres apart in the workplace.

The Welsh regulations also give police the power of entry to a premises where they suspect the regulations have or are about to be contravened.

Public land and public footpaths closed by authorities, such as councils or Natural Resources Wales, cannot be used by the public. Those doing so are liable to be fined – not just by the police, but by the relevant authority.

The authorities have the power to remove people from closed areas and are also permitted to use “reasonable force” to do so.

Source: College of Policing