Met Police issue hundreds of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) after individuals were found in breach of coronavirus regulations

Met  Police hand out hundreds of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) after individuals were found in breach of coronavirus regulations. 
The FPNs are one of several measures introduced under emergency legislation designed to help reduce the impact of the pandemic.
There has been a reduction of 32 per cent in total notifiable offences in London. There are also fewer people dialling 999 and making non-emergency calls. 
Although the confirmed number of FPNs submitted to the ACRO Criminal Records Office by Monday was 81, the total number of FPNs currently being processed within the Met is anticipated to be several hundred.
Assistant Commissioner Mark Simmons, who is leading the Met’s response to the pandemic, said: “The vast majority of people are following Government regulations.
“However there is a small minority of people who despite every effort to engage, explain and encourage are refusing to follow instructions.
In these rare cases officers have used their new powers in order to protect the NHS and keep people safe.
The Metropolitan Police is in great shape and against a backdrop of falling demand we remain absolutely determined to focus on protecting the public and supporting the health authorities.
Officers continue to bear down on violence and are highly visible on the streets and open spaces as well as responding to urgent calls for assistance.

“We welcome and value the continuing strong public support for police efforts to encourage people to stay home in order to support the NHS and save lives.”
The numbers reported by ACRO will continue to increase as the Met checks and processes the paperwork. The 81 figure was included in a return collated by the National Police Chiefs’ Council and released separately today.