MORE fines for coronavirus breaches have been given out in Herefordshire than in any other area of West Mercia Police's force area, a report has revealed.

Within the five areas of West Mercia, 869 coronavirus-related fixed penalty notices were handed out between September 24 and January 1.

Of those, 270 fixed penalty notices (FPNs) were handed out in Herefordshire.

Telford and Wrekin was second, with 221, followed by 154 in South Worcestershire, 131 in North Worcestershire and 93 in Shropshire.

The figures were revealed in a report to the Police and Crime Panel, which met on Friday.

The report said: "Herefordshire and Telford and Wrekin have issued the greatest raw numbers of FPNs within West Mercia, as well as the highest rates of FPNs per 100k people after accounting for population size.

"South Worcestershire and North Worcestershire have issued lower total numbers of FPNs than both Herefordshire and Telford & Wrekin – this remains true after controlling for population size.

"Shropshire have issued the lowest numbers of FPNs out of the LPAs [local policing areas]. Again, this remains consistent after controlling for population size."

In the panel meeting, which includes Sebastian Bowen and Barry Durkin representing Herefordshire Council, West Mercia Police Chief Constable Anthony Bangham said there is "no single answer" for the variation in the number of fines handed out.

"We've had a good look at this to see why, and we've asked the same questions, it isn't just Shropshire.

"At various time we've seen different approaches in north Worcestershire and Herefordshire, and we've continued to ask the questions of the local commanders to try and understand what is going on.

"Is there a particular issue that has caused a high or low number? There is no single answer."

"What I can give you the confidence of is that all of our decisions have been made in partnership with local authorities, in particular, to have a look at the appropriate level of enforcement.

"Looking at, in particular, health data where we might need some different efforts, and consideration of our borders, the Welsh border versus potentially the West Midlands border.

"There is no single answer, but we do have a particular group, chaired by the Deputy Chief Constable, who looks at this every week and we have pushed hard where we think there needs to be increased enforcement, and we have pulled back a little bit if we think they are moving up too quickly.

"But it's not an exact science and we continue to monitor it."

Fines can be handed out for a variety of offences, including not wearing a mask where required, and meeting with a group of people without a valid reason, such as work.

West Mercia Police does not name individuals given fixed penalty notices, in line with College of Policing guidance.