Woman fined twice in same day after failing to wear face covering

Photo: GMP

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have assigned dedicated Covid-19 Patrols, where officers go out daily to places in Rochdale and enforce regulations set out by the government

A woman has been fined £200 – with two fixed penalty notices in the same day - after refusing to wear a face covering in a Rochdale town centre supermarket.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have assigned dedicated Covid-19 Patrols, where officers go out daily to places in Rochdale, offering support and guidance but also enforcing regulations set out by the government due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Their role is to hand out face coverings, which have been donated in partnership with Rochdale Borough Council, and to reiterate the importance of wearing them in public places.

On Tuesday (8 September), officers were conducting these patrols around various supermarkets in Rochdale town centre.

Shortly after 1pm, the officers handed a face covering to a female who then entered the store but failed to put the face covering on.

When challenged by officers, the female continued to refuse to put the face covering on, without a valid exempt reason, and was issued with a fixed penalty notice of £100.

A short time after, the same female was seen by officers in the store for a second time and, again, was not wearing a face covering, resulting in a second fixed penalty notice of another £100.

Writing on Facebook, GMP Rochdale said: “Wearing a face covering can help prevent the spread of Covid-19 and the regulations are there to protect everyone. Please remember to wear one in line with legal requirements set out by the government.

“Our officers are there to offer support and guidance but will enforce the regulations when there is a clear breach.”