Coronavirus: Almost 400 fines given to people not wearing face masks on public transport in England

Vast majority of penalties issued in London and few handed out by police, figures show

(AFP via Getty)

Almost 400 fines have been issued to people refusing to wear face masks on public transport in England, with the vast majority being given out in London, new figures show.

Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, said enforcement statistics indicated that around 90 per cent of people are complying with coronavirus laws.

By 20 August, almost 115,500 people had been “stopped and reminded” of the requirement to wear a face covering, around 5,300 people were prevented from boarding public transport and 4,200 had been told to leave a service.

Mr Shapps said 365 fines had been issued on public transport across England, including trains, buses and taxis.

“Unless you’re exempt, remember to wear a face covering,” he wrote on Twitter.

People with certain health conditions, disabled people and children aged under 11 are exempt from wearing face coverings, and passengers caught breaking the law risk being fined £100.

The figures suggest that the vast majority of mask fines are being given out by Transport for London (TfL) enforcement staff, who are able to issue penalties on tubes, trains and buses in the capital.

Separate statistics released last week by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) showed that by 17 August, officers had issued 38 fines on public transport in England.

Only four police forces — British Transport Police, Cumbria, Lancashire and West Midlands — had recorded giving them out.

NPCC figures showed that police had issued a further eight fines to people in shops and other indoor spaces covered by new laws.

The Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, previously warned that the regulations would be “nigh on impossible for enforcement”.

On 15 June, face coverings became mandatory on public transport, on 24 July a new law extended the rule to shops and other indoor spaces have since been added.

Provisional statistics show the number of penalties given out to people violating wider lockdown restrictions has dropped dramatically since they were eased.

Almost 18,700 fines have been given out in England and Wales since the Public Health Regulations came into force on 27 March, but in the month to 17 August only 13 were recorded.

Martin Hewitt, chair of the NPCC, said: “Coronavirus is still a real and deadly threat. The restrictions across the UK are in place to limit the spread of the virus and save lives.

“Large gatherings both indoors and outdoors are still unlawful. And it is mandatory to wear face coverings on public transport, in shops and in some other enclosed spaces.”