More than one in four fixed penalty notices were issued for breaches of Covid rules to those living in deprived areas, a new report has shown.
People living in the 10 per cent most deprived areas of Scotland were 2.6 times more likely to be handed a fine than those living in the least deprived areas, figures analysed in a report by Professor Susan McVie at the University of Edinburgh show.
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When the pandemic first began in March 2020, those who lived in deprived areas were 12.6 times more likely to be dealt with a fine in relation to restrictions - but the number dwindled significantly as police dealt with breaches over a wider area of social backgrounds throughout lockdown.
Those given a Covid fine also tended to be of the younger generation, with 75 per cent of these fines given to Scots under the age of 30.
More than 20,000 police fixed penalty notices were registered by the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service (SCTS) during 2020/21 in relation to breaking Covid rules.
Between the dates of May 25 2021 and October 25 2021, there were 243 fines and 7 arrests in the Greater Glasgow area in relation to Covid restrictions, as reported by Police Scotland.
The figures have been analysed in a report titled Police Use of Covid-19 Fixed Penalty Notices in Scotland and will be utilised in an event organised by the Scottish Police Authority to investigate the oversight of policing during the coronavirus pandemic in Scotland.
This specific report is one of a series of data reports that have been published by researchers at the University of Edinburgh, in order to examine police use of temporary powers of enforcement issued under the Coronavirus Regulations.
This report analyses quarterly fines data published by the SCTS as well as linked administrative data from Police Scotland and the SCTS. The data also showed that fines Covid fines were more likely to be paid in comparison to a fine for anti-social behaviour
Lead researcher Professor McVie of Edinburgh Law School, said: “This report is the first in the UK to examine in detail the payment of fixed penalties issued in relation to breaches of the Covid-19 Regulations.
“Concerns that the public would reject these penalties, and fail to pay them, are not founded by this study. However, it does raise concern about the impact of incrementally increasing fines on those who may have been least able or willing to comply with the Regulations as it is likely that these individuals were also less able to pay their fines.
“Throughout the pandemic there was robust oversight of policing in Scotland, and reports have consistently shown that enforcement was the response of last resort for officers dealing with those who may be in breach of the Regulations.
“Nevertheless, it is difficult to say to whether the temporary policing powers contributed to reducing the spread of the disease or saving lives. Moreover, it is clear that the legitimacy of the Regulations in the eyes of the public waned over time, which posed significant challenges for the police.
“We recommend that the findings from this report should be considered in both the Scottish and UK public inquiries into the impact of the pandemic.”
Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie said: “Throughout the pandemic, Police Scotland’s officers and staff stepped forward to explain fast-changing guidelines and emergency legislation to encourage people to do the right thing with consistency, compassion, common sense and discretion.
“Fixed penalty notices issued during the early phase of the pandemic were primarily issued in relation to travel infringements of the legislation. During the latter stage of the restrictions, officers were responding to calls from the public about gatherings or house parties where they engaged with people to encourage compliance.
“Fixed penalty notices were issued after all other avenues had been exhausted and only as a last resort.
“The vast majority of people followed the legislation and I want to thank our fellow citizens for their support and co-operation during the public health crisis.
“I am pleased the report recognises enforcement action was used only as a last resort, making up a small percentage of our many interactions with the public.”
For more information on the fines issued to Scots throughout the pandemic, visit the Enforcement section of the Police Scotland website, here.
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