Update on Coronavirus FPNs issued by police – October 2021

The total processed in England is now 106,451 up to 18 July 2021 when these regulations were revoked[1], and 11,987 in Wales up to 17 October 2021.

Very limited enforcement continued in England and Wales between July and October for regulations relating to self-isolation and international travel which are still in place.

More information on restrictions still in place for England and Wales can be found here.

Chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, Martin Hewitt, said: 

“As expected, the number of fines processed in the latest reporting period between July and October have fallen considerably, as restrictions significantly eased across England and Wales over the summer months.

“Slowly being able to return to some normality during this period was a welcome change for millions – this was won with the public’s resilience and resolve to get through the pandemic so far. We should however keep in mind that the virus is still out there and is still causing tragic loss of life.

“There are still some restrictions in place for very good reason, such as for self-isolation and rules around international travel. We ask that everyone continues to be mindful of others when out and about, following public health guidance in place for everyone’s safety.

“Officers have very rarely had to use their powers in recent months, only enforcing where there are clear breaches of the rules. It is right that they’re able to take action against those who disregard the remaining restrictions and put others at risk.”

Fixed penalty notices have been processed for the following reasons: 

International travel regulations

• Since the last reported period, from 21 June 2021 to 17 October 2021, 53 FPNs were issued in England relating to international travel.
• In total, up to 17 October 2021, 816 FPNs have been processed in England relating to international travel. 19 have been processed in Wales.
• FPNs were mostly issued for failure to self-isolate after arriving from a country on the UK Government Quarantine list, including red list countries, among other reasons.

Self-isolation regulations

• Between 28 September 2020 and 17 October 2021, 156 FPNs had been issued in England under the Self-Isolation Regulations.
• 78 were issued in Wales under the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (1) to (5).
• FPNs were mostly issued for failure to self-isolate.

Steps regulations

• As of the 29 March 2021, the All Tiers regulations were revoked and replaced by the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Steps) (England) Regulations 2021. These regulations were subsequently revoked on 00:00 19th July 2021.
• 4,993 notices have been issued under the Steps regulations in England.
• 2,428 notices were issued for Step 1, 2,330 notices for Step 2, and 235 notices for Step 3.

The full breakdown of FPNs issued across all enforcement periods by all forces can be found within the attached data pack.

Notes to Editors:

• In order to provide a clear national snapshot of FPNs for a reporting period, the NPCC draws from ACRO Criminal Records Office data. The totals issued in this release reflect a mix of new FPNs issued in the latest reporting period, alongside additional processing and cancellation of FPNs by ACRO for dates covered by previous releases.
• There will always be a processing lag time between forces issuing a notice and ACRO processing it. Actual force totals may therefore differ from the national totals presented in this release.
• For information on particular incidents please contact the relevant force.
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations 2020 (England) and subsequent Amendments were revoked on 19 July 2021. Totals in this release relating to these Regulations account for all processing and recording held by ACRO as of 17 October 2021 – it does not mean new notices were issued since the regulations were revoked.
• Regulations are still in effect in Wales, with an Alert Level system in place. Regulations in England and Wales relating to International Travel, Face Coverings, Businesses and Self-Isolation continue/d to apply to varying and changing degrees since 19 July 2021. Enforcement notices will have been processed by ACRO for any breaches relating to these Regulations since 19 July 2021. Please consider this when reporting.
• On the 17 May 2021, the International Travel regulations in England were revoked and replaced by the Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel and Operator Liability) (England) Regulations 2021. Reporting in this release covers all FPNs issued for breaches relating to international travel. It does not include notices issued by Border Force.
• Payment of FPNs: We have committed to publishing information on payments at a later date and will be providing an update on this shortly. If an FPN is contested or not complied with within the 28 day payment period, the case becomes a matter for HM Courts and Tribunals Service following a force level review. 

[1] This figure excludes notices that have been issued under the following regulations; International Travel, Face Coverings, Business and Self-Isolation.