How many people have been fined for breaking Covid laws in Dorset

Human rights advocacy group Liberty said communities have been subjected to disproportionate and harmful policing while staff at Number 10 have been "attending drinks parties".

Figures published by the National Police Chiefs' Council show 1,644 fixed penalty notices were issued by Dorset Police between March 27 2020 and December 19 last year.

Of these, just eight were recorded from May 17 2021, when different households were allowed to mix indoors for the first time following several months of lockdown.

Read more: Cyclists, dogs, cars and parking slammed as visitors accused of treating New Forest with 'no respect'

By comparison, some forces issued hundreds of fines over this period.

FPNs can be rescinded following a review or cancelled altogether if multiple were issued in error, leading to some areas seeing a fall in the number of fines over time.

Dorset Police Assistant Chief Constable Steve Lyne said: “Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic our officers have adopted the 4Es approach when responding to reports of non-compliance. In the majority of cases officers were able to engage, explain and encourage people to follow the regulations. Where this was not effective, enforcement action was taken but only as a last resort.

“Overall we have been grateful to the vast majority of the public who have stuck to the rules, which were in place to help stop the spread of the virus, protect the NHS and save lives. I know the last two years have been difficult for so many people and I would like to personally thank our communities for the sensible approach they have taken to this pandemic to help keep each other safe.”

Read more: Two of Dorset's vaccine sites close for the weekend

Liberty said the Government gave the police "blunt and coercive powers to enforce lockdowns", when it should have been prioritising public health.

Jun Pang, policy and campaigns officer at the organisation, said: "Throughout the pandemic we have seen over-zealous policing and chaotic communications, leaving people confused and fearful of prosecution.

“The discrepancies in these regional figures show that the restrictions were unclear, leaving it up to local police forces to interpret the law. Clearly, this opened the door to inconsistency and discrimination."

The Government has recently come under fire following a series of reports on parties and large gatherings at Number 10 Downing Street while the rest of the UK was under restrictions.

Of the FPNs issued across England and Wales so far, 377 were for holding a gathering of more than 30 people – with one in Dorset.

An NPCC spokesman said all forces have first sought to engage and explain Covid laws to people, and only enforce them when necessary.