Police issued 180 penalty notices last weekend to people breaching Covid regulations

The fixed penalty fine has now risen to a maximum of £800

A senior police officer has spoken of the impact of having to attend Covid rule-breaking incidents across Greater Manchester.

Chief Inspector Natasha Evans, Force Critical Incident Manager, has posted a video on social media in which she talks about some of the issues last weekend, including being called to three large-scale house parties.

Chief Inspector Evans and her colleagues attended one gathering of 20 people who were celebrating a birthday in a two-bedroomed flat.  The party organisers had also hired a DJ.

The other incidents included organisers hiring AirBNB locations, with 50 people packed into each address.  Again, DJs, and live music were part of the entertainment.

All attendees at the parties were issued with Covid Fixed Penalty Notices.

The Chief Inspector also talked about the personal impact on officers who have to attend and disperse the Covid rule-busting parties.  "One officer didn't see his new born son for 12 weeks, because he was living away from home, and had to avoid bringing Covid back to his home"

"When you join the police, you sign up to protect others.  That sometimes means we put public safety above your own family."

"Last weekend, officers' lives were put at risk just by attending these events.  The impact on my officers is profound.  They are in small environments with large numbers of people who are not wearing face masks.  Then they are going home to their families, young children, and vulnerable relatives."

The risk of catching and spreading the virus also has an effect on police numbers, the senior officer said.

"If officers contract the virus, many in their teams have to isolate, reducing the number of officers that are there to protect the public."

The maximum fine for a Fixed Penalty Notice has now risen to £800 for events attended by 15 people or more.

GMP are encouraging people to report any breaches of Covid regulations on their website here

You can watch the full video below

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