Increased fines for repeated lockdown breaches

Bridgend County Borough Council is urging residents to stay local this bank holiday weekend and avoid trips to the seaside or other well-known beauty spots to prevent the risk of exposure to Covid-19 and help protect the NHS.

Earlier this week, First Minister Mark Drakeford announced the maximum fine for repeated breaches of the coronavirus lockdown rules in Wales would rise from £120 to £1,920.

The increased fines have been introduced ahead of the bank holiday weekend and they follow a request from the four police forces in Wales and the Police and Crime Commissioners for increased penalties to help deter people from repeatedly breaching the stay-at-home regulations.

Evidence from the four police forces show a small minority of people are breaking the coronavirus regulations, particularly by travelling to well-known beauty spots throughout Wales, even though they have been closed since the end of March.

The new structure which comes into force today (Friday) sees the fines double for every offence – increasing from £60 to £120 for a first offence and rising up to £1,920 for the sixth offence.

The increased fines send out a very strong message to the public about complying with the lockdown.

Along with our partners we urge people to stay local this bank holiday weekend and avoid trips to the seaside or other well-known beauty spots

Please also remember that the RNLI lifeguards are not patrolling beaches in Bridgend county borough at the moment so take extra care and don’t put your life in danger or anyone else’s in these challenging times.

hanisha Patel, the council’s cabinet member for future generations and wellbeing