Derbyshire police scrap £200 lockdown fines given to women who went for walk

11 January 2021, 18:43

The force has revoked the fines issued to the two women
The force has revoked the fines issued to the two women. Picture: PA
EJ Ward

By EJ Ward

Police have scrapped lockdown fines handed to two women who'd met at a reservoir for a walk in Derbyshire last week.

The pair say they were surrounded by officers after driving 5 miles separately to Foremark Reservoir.

Derbyshire Police's Chief Constable says they've said sorry to both women - and ever-changing guidance can lead to errors.

The two women received £200 fixed penalty notices after travelling to a reservoir for a walk around five miles from their homes.

The force's chief constable Rachel Swann said: "I can confirm that a review into fixed penalty notices (FPNs) issued by my officers last week has been completed.

"Two fixed penalty notices that were handed to two women who had travelled to Foremark Reservoir on Thursday have been withdrawn and we have notified the women directly, apologising for any concern caused.

"I support the fact that the officers were trying to encourage people to stay local to prevent the spread of the virus. This is a responsibility for all of us.

"All of our FPNs issued in conjunction with the Covid guidance are subject to review. Having received clarification of the guidance issued by the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) on Friday, these FPNs as well as a small number of others issued, were reviewed in line with that latest advice, and so it is right that we have taken this action.

"We have been working hard to understand the ever-changing guidance and legislation and to communicate this to our officers in a way that makes it clear what is the right course of action to take."

Hardyal Dhindsa, Police and Crime Commissioner of Derbyshire Police, said officers "may get it wrong" when handing out fines to lockdown rule-breakers and that a recent incident in the county could have been dealt with differently.

His comments come after the force handed out £200 fines to two women who drove separately to go for a walk at a remote beauty spot situated around five miles from their homes.

He said officers had a "very difficult job in really trying circumstances", with the "ever-changing" Covid-19 restrictions.

He said: "It's no wonder that in circumstances like this, sometimes when they are trying to do the best job they can they may get it wrong."

When asked whether it was wrong, he said: "Having looked at it, listening to what I know, it looks as if that we might've have been able to deal with it differently.

"But it's an operational matter, I've asked the chief constable to review these cases and if the police acted in error, then the fines can be rescinded by them."

He said if an error was found to be made then the police force "was big enough" to apologise.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

People continue their daily life under difficult conditions at Jabalia Refugee Camp, located in the north of the Gaza Strip, as they struggle to survive among the rubble of buildings destroyed by Israeli attacks

Judge lets Gazan family settle in UK under scheme for Ukrainian refugees, sparking fears of 'floodgates opening'

John Tuckett

Labour's new borders watchdog 'to work from home in Finland', 1,200 miles from London

President Donald Trump speaks with Jordan's King Abdullah II in the Oval Office at the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in Washington. (Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump doubles down on pledge to 'take over Gaza', as Netanyahu threatens return to war if Israeli hostages not freed

The Princess of Wales, Patron of Action for Children, during a visit to a mother and baby unit inside HMP Styal in Wilmslow

Kate met with wolf-whistles and cries for 'more funding' as she visits women's prison

Domestic cat balancing on garden fence, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Police hunt mystery cat coiffeur after felines in rural Lincolnshire village return home missing patches of fur

Liam Payne and Maya Henry

Liam Payne 'smoked heroin and sexted fans': Bombshell revelations as ex-fiancee breaks silence on star's death

Exclusive
Bridget Phillipson has said Yvette Cooper will 'make sure' vetting of Metropolitan Police officers is 'overhauled'

Home secretary will ensure 'overhaul' of Met vetting process following controversial High Court ruling, Phillipson says

Exclusive
James Cleverly

James Cleverly slams 'Orwellian' assisted dying bill as High Court judge sign-off to be scrapped

The Church of England's governing body has voted against a fully independent safeguarding body

Church of England vote 'a punch in the gut for victims' as Synod rejects independent safeguarding

Oliver Ryan and Andrew Gwynne have been suspended

Eleven Labour councillors suspended for being part of offensive WhatsApp group after two MPs also punished

A major travel agent has urged families to go on holiday during Easter rather than the summer

Save thousands by going on holiday at Easter instead of summer, British families told

Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened to tear up the ceasefire deal

Netanyahu’s ultimatum to Hamas: Return hostages by Saturday deadline or ceasefire gives way to 'intense fighting'

Sir Alex Ferguson and Wayne Rooney were in attendance at Denis Law's funeral

Stars pay final respects to Denis Law as Manchester United legend laid to rest

Strangers bar is to reopen following spiking allegation

MPs bar to reopen with extra security after spiking claims

The bodies of Andrew Searle and his wife Dawn were discovered by a neighbour

Post-mortem results reveal fatal injuries of British couple found dead at home in rural French village

Salman Rushdie gives evidence in court as author gives evidence against alleged knife attacker

Salman Rushdie gives evidence in court as author gives evidence against alleged knife attacker