UK Edition
Police chiefs have suspended on-the-spot £10,000 fines for breaking Covid rules amid fears of challenges over a lack of means testing.
The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) said forces would no longer be handing out £10,000 fixed notice penalties because of concerns over "inequalities", as those choosing to go to court could pay less.
Instead, they will be issued as summons requiring those fined to go before magistrates. People will be means tested, which could result in them paying less than £10,000 or given more time to pay the sum after means testing.
The move emerged as David Jamieson, the police and crime commissioner in the West Midlands, disclosed that as of last week his force had stopped issuing the £10,000 fixed penalty notices and was sending people straight to court instead.
The NPCC is looking to rewrite its guidance to officers so there could be a compromise by which anyone issued with an on the spot fine would be told they can go to court to have their ability to pay means-tested.
In the interim, however, it is proposing no-one will be issued with a £10,000 fixed notice penalty but will instead be summonsed direct to court.
The £10,000 fines cover failure to self-isolate or quarantine and have been issued to the organisers of raves, parties and events that breach the rules on gatherings.