MORE fines were handed out in Greater Manchester for breaking local coronavirus rules than anywhere else, figures have revealed.

Data shows that Greater Manchester Police (GMP) issued 374 fixed penalty notices (FPNs) for covid-19 breaches since the restrictions were tightened in July up until October 19.

The statistics released by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) does not include FPNs dished out since the Government’s new alert system was introduced.

Greater Manchester is in Tier 3 - or 'very high' - on the alert system.

Figures reveal that 781 FPNs have been handed out by GMP from March 27 to October 19.

GMP Chief Constable Ian Hopkins has said officers have used the policing stance of the four Es – engage, explain, encourage, and where necessary enforce, throughout the pandemic.

CC Hopkins said: “Certainly, when the local restrictions came in, the enforcement levels have gone up because we’ve targeted those who persistently flouted the legislation.

“In all honesty, we don’t want to be out there issuing fixed penalty notices for breaches of coronavirus legislation, I would much rather my officers were dealing with the levels of crime and disorder that we’ve got, which are back to pre-covid levels.

“But we absolutely recognise our role in trying to help stem the tide of the infection – and if that means we have to enforce those that blatantly flout the law, then we will do that.”

The statistics also show that 64 FPNs have been issued relating to holding a gathering of more than 30 people in England. And 399 fines have been given out for breaking the “Rule of Six”.

There were 258 FPNs issued between June 15 and October 19 for breaches of face covering regulations across England and Wales.

NPCC chairman Martin Hewitt said: “It is crucial that people do everything they can, including limiting social contact, to reduce the spread of coronavirus.

“As infection numbers continue to rise to alarming levels, personal choices matter and we’re asking the public to act responsibly.

“Thank you to the vast majority of the public for sticking to the rules and following the guidance in place to limit the spread of the virus.

“A small minority, however, are not following the rules, and are making decisions which put lives at risk.

“We have seen an increase in enforcement activity in the last month, reflecting new regulations coming into effect, and a shift towards quicker enforcement against those knowingly breaking the rules.

“Where people don’t listen to police officers’ encouragement then we will take action.

“Coronavirus is something we have all had to rapidly adapt to, and officers have had to pick up new regulations in a record pace, and apply them across the population.”