Justice Secretary Robert Buckland has warned people will face steep fines should they seriously breach restrictions implemented during the second national COVID-19 lockdown.
As of today, lockdown rules mean people are not allowed to leave their homes unless it is for essential shopping, work that cannot be done from home, or exercise.
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Additionally, non-essential shops will have to close, as well as pubs and restaurants.
Different households are prohibited from mixing indoors or in private gardens. One member from a household can meet a member of another in public outdoor areas.
At present, the minimum fine for breaching the rules is £200, which doubles with every offence, up to a maximum of £6,400. However, any organisers of large gatherings can face fines of up to £10,000.
Mr Buckland told BBC breakfast that the tactic of “policing by consent” would be continued in law-enforcement, to encourage the public to comply with the four-week lockdown. He added that “the law would take its course” when police respond to serious breaches.
Following these comments, Buckland said: "Where a more intense intervention is needed then the police will be involved and of course the fine structure is still in force."
Speaking to BBC Radio 4, he said: "I think the message has to go out very clearly that this will only work if we all play our part."
Chairman of the National Police Chiefs Council told the BBC that, "every one of us has a responsibility to understand what the regulations are and abide by those regulations", and those who broke the rules would actually be "breaking the law and endangering people's lives".
Boris Johnson has said that the new lockdown rules will “expire automatically” on December 2nd.
However, the head of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has said that there is a great need for an extension of the furlough scheme. Rishi Sunak is due to make an announcement later today, wherein he will detail what economic support will be given to businesses during this lockdown period.
