Derbyshire police scrap fines handed to women who drove five miles to walk at beauty spot

Jessica Allen and Eliza Moore were each ordered to pay £200 for allegedly breaching lockdown rules when they travelled seperately from Ashby-de-la-Zouch in Leicestershire to Foremark Reservoir in south Derbyshire to exercise together.

MORE: Women fined for driving five miles to walk at Derbyshire beauty spot

Derbyshire Constabulary initially defended its officers’ actions before promising to review those and other fixed penalty notices (FPNs) issued after guidance confirmed that the law does not restrict the distance travelled for exercise.

On Monday evening, Derbyshire Constabulary Chief Constable Rachel Swann said: “I can confirm that a review into FPNs issued by my officers last week has been completed.

“Two FPNs which were handed to two women who had travelled to Foremark Reservoir on Thursday have been withdrawn and we have notified the women directly, apologising for any concern caused.

“I support the fact that the officers were trying to encourage people to stay local to prevent the spread of the virus – this is a responsibility for all of us.

“All of our FPNs issued in conjunction with the Covid guidance are subject to review.

“Having received clarification of the guidance issued by the National Police Chiefs’ Council on Friday, these FPNs, as well as a small number of others issued, were reviewed in line with that latest advice, and so it is right that we have taken this action.

“We have been working hard to understand the ever-changing guidance and legislation and to communicate this to our officers in a way that makes it clear what is the right course of action to take.

“At present there is no clear limit as to how far people can travel to exercise – but Government guidance strongly requests people do not leave their local area.

“We all have a responsibility to follow both the regulations and the guidance put in place to protect the NHS and save lives, and I would expect my officers to continue to take the four Es approach – to engage, explain, encourage, and enforce, to help us to keep them and their communities safe.

“It is important to note that the force has received complaints from residents living in some scenic parts of Derbyshire asking that we carry out activity to stop others travelling to the area because it becomes more crowded for local people.

“Our activity is aimed to address these concerns and to remind people to stay local.

“We will continue to show a visible presence in these areas and encourage people to comply with the guidance.”

Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner Hardyal Dhindsa added: “I welcome the force’s readiness to review these FPNs and to subsequently rescind them.

“I am pleased an apology has been made at the earliest opportunity and I am sure the force will learn lessons from this incident.

“However, it is vital people not only abide by the law but they also enter into the spirit of lockdown and recognise the full seriousness of this emergency.

“This means minimising travel and only leaving the home for essential purposes to protect lives and NHS services – and where people wilfully break the regulations, they should expect an FNP.”

MORE: New Covid variant blamed for huge surge in Derbyshire cases

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