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Tier 4 rules: Cops WON’T stop you travelling for Christmas & ‘no way’ they’ll knock on doors despite Matt Hancock’s plea
POLICE won't stop you travelling over Christmas and there's "no way" they'll knock on doors, a top cop warned today - despite Matt Hancock's plea they enforce the new coronavirus rules.
Chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation Ken Marsh said day-to-day households wouldn't be faced with a cop knocking on their door to check they were following coronavirus restrictions on Christmas Day.
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About 20millions Brits were told over the weekend their Christmas had been cancelled as London and the South East were plunged into Tier 4 lockdown.
Under the strictest regulations, households will not be allowed to meet on Christmas Day. They are also not permitted to enter or leave the tier.
And those in lower tiers have had their Christmas bubbles cut to just 24 hours after Boris Johnson initially promised Brits could meet with three other households over five days.
But speaking today, the police federation's Mr Marsh said: "We won't be knocking on people's doors at all, unless there is a large group and noise, ie a party or something like that.
"But normal day-to-day households? There's no way that my colleagues will be dealing with that."
He told BBC News if people refuse to open the door to police, officers have no power to force entry to the property, calling coronavirus laws a "toothless tiger".
His comments come after Matt Hancock yesterday insisted it was up to the police to ensure the coronavirus laws were upheld.
Speaking on the Andrew Marr Show on Sunday, the Health Secretary said: "Of course. It’s the police’s responsibility to police the law and the law came into force in the early hours of this morning."
British Transport Police confirmed over the weekend that extra officers were being deployed while
But other regions have indicated they won't be stopping Brits from moving between tiers.
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Assistant Chief Constable for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Constable Maggie Blyth said: "We will not be preventing people from travelling from one area to another, but are working with ferry operators and partner agencies to ensure that the public is informed about the restrictions in place.
"Everyone must observe the restrictions from the highest tier that they are travelling from or to at all times."
She confirmed Covid-19 patrols would continue "as required".
The Isle of Wight remains in Tier 1 while Portsmouth across the Solent is in Tier 4.
How much can I be fined for breaking Tier 4 lockdown rules?
Anyone who breaks the rules on gatherings in England could be hit with a £200 fine in the first instance.
Police issue these fines, which are known as fixed penalty notices.
And those who repeatedly flout the guidance will see their fines quickly mount.
The cost doubles for further breaches.
Police can keep adding costs up to a maximum of £6,400.
It's even more severe for those who hold illegal gatherings, like parties, for more than 30 people.
Those people will be fined £10,000.
Individual charges are different in Wales, where it's £60 for the first offence, which can be lowered to £30 if paid within a fortnight, and £120 for the second offence and for each further offence.
In Scotland, people aged 16 and over are fined £60 for the first offence, lowered to £30 if paid within 28 days.
It's £120 for the second offence, which doubles for each further offence up to a maximum of £960.
Mr Marsh of the police federation had previously called the tier rules "baffling".
He said: “It doesn’t make sense. It’s going to be no different now from how it was.
“We’re not going to be knocking on people's doors on Christmas Day. We have no power of entry.
“'It’s just a shame because I don’t think people are going to take much notice.
"You’ve lost the goodwill of the public. They’re so frustrated.”
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