Hundreds of fines have been handed out to people flouting Covid-19 restrictions across Leicestershire - here are the most serious cases

More than 800 fines have been handed out to people for flouting Covid-19 restrictions across Leicestershire and neighbouring Northamptonshire.

The maximum £10,000 penalty was handed out eight times in Leicestershire out of 515 people hit in the pocket altogether.

The figures have emerged as police chiefs urged people not to wreck their Halloween celebrations on Saturday by breaking the coronavirus rules.

The owner of the Gate Hangs Well pub in Syston was among those ordered to shell out £10,000 after over 300 people attended an event there.

Some 374 fines have been issued in Northamptonshire since the Covid-19 lockdown was imposed in late March.

Supt Adam Slonecki, of Leicestershire Police, said: “While it must be recognised that the vast majority of people are adhering to the latest Government guidelines we are still receiving reports of potential breaches of the regulations.

“Our approach remains the same and we continue to engage with the public, explain the need to follow the regulations and encourage people to do so.

“However, we will take enforcement action where and when it is required.”

He added: “We are living through unprecedented times.

“As a community across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland we must continue working together in order to tackle the spread of coronavirus.”

Those who were fined £10,000 in Leicestershire for organising or facilitating an organised gathering under the Health Protection Regulations are:

· September 25 – at the Gate Hangs Well Public House in Syston, the licensee was fined after a group of around 300 people attended an event at the premises

· September 27 – a man and a woman were fined for holding a house party involving more than 30 people at an address in Colton St in Leicester. Advice and guidance had previously been issued at the property in relation to breaching regulations

· September 28 – Church St, Leicester, a fine was issued to the organiser of a house party where more than 30 people were found to be in attendance

· October 11 – at an address in Atkins St, Leicester, a fine was handed to the organiser of a house party involving more than 30 people

· October 13 – the owner of a premises in Ashby Square, Loughborough, was fined along with the event organiser after 150 people attended an event there

· October 13 – the owner of a premises in Granby St, Leicester, was fined following a music event (officers linked this incident to the event in Ashby Square, Loughborough).