Government asked for ‘urgent’ clarification after £10,000 super-fines suspension

The Government's policing minister has been asked to provide "urgent" clarification after the issuing of so-called £10,000 "super-fines" for lockdown rule-breakers was suspended.

West Midlands Police's chief constable said the force stopped handing out the fines "last week" after concerns were raised about potential inequality between those who pay up within 28 days, and those who challenge the notices in court.

When fines go to court they are means-tested, meaning the recipient's ability to pay is taken into account.

Labour's West Midlands regional police and crime commissioner David Jamieson said the move had come about following advice being issued by the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC).

He has now written to policing minister Kit Malthouse for a "rapid response", claiming the Government had failed to provide the police with "workable Covid legislation".

Nottinghamshire's Labour police and crime commissioner, Paddy Tipping, said he was "surprised at the guidance from the NPCC", having received a written commendation from Home Secretary Priti Patel for being the first force to issue a super-fine.

Meanwhile, Mr Jamieson said he also found the situation "deeply embarrassing" personally, having himself been an "enthusiastic" supporter of the introduction of tough rules.

Explaining the decision at a meeting of the West Midlands strategic policing and crime board on Tuesday, the force's chief constable David Thompson called it "unfortunate" while adding alleged rule-breakers would get a court summons instead.

The force has already issued 13 of the fines, reserved for the most serious social-distancing breaches.

Mr Thompson, who is also a vice-chairman of the NPCC and its lead on finance matters, said: "I think it's unfortunate.

"It is unhelpful this issue has arisen, but actually there is still legislation.

"The point I would make to the public is we will carry on enforcing this area of the law.

"The difference is it won't be a ticket, it will be through a summons."

Mr Thompson, who said the force had also been "a very strong supporter" of the tough measures, was asked to shed light on the suspension by the commissioner during the meeting.

He said the £10,000 amount was "unusual" for a fixed penalty notice (FPN), and it was the large fine amount where a concern had arisen.

Mr Thompson said: "The issue is – last week – the fixed penalty notice was suspended and that is because of the debate over the means by which the person can meet the cost of that fine would normally be assessed by a court.

"The level (of fine) is so high there is a concern emerging that actually levying through a fixed penalty is problematic.

"So the force has moved to a position where we will report people for a summons for this particular offence and they'll go to court through that route."

He added that the force had employed a "very tight policy" around issuing the super-fines, "because we have been very conscious a £10,000 levied fine is substantial".

"We have never issued tickets where we don't have a considerable amount of evidence," he added.

Mr Jamieson also asked what the situation was for those fined who had already paid, asking "if they will be getting a rebate" or "go to court retrospectively", and those who had not yet paid.

However, the chief constable was unable to answer those queries.

The commissioner said: "The fact we were enthusiastic about helping the Government in enforcing the Covid legislation I have to say for myself – and I have been supporting it as well – is deeply embarrassing now that we have found that the legislation has been found wanting.

"It hasn't been properly thought-through.

"It has led to what I consider to be a deeply embarrassing situation and I think has in some way actually undermined some of the work our excellent officers are doing."

He added: "I have written to the policing minister expressing my extreme anger this legislation wasn't properly thought-through and led us into the position we were in today."

The NPCC and the Home Office have both been approached for comment.