3,375 fines have been handed out by Northumbria Police since December 20 to the public for breaches of Coronavirus restrictions, new statistics reveal.

Stats by the National Police Chiefs’ Council show that a total of 6,409 penalties were given out by the force between March 27 2020 and and April 18 2021, with 53% of them coming since December.

In England and Wales, a total of 110,322 fixed penalty notices have been given out under the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations since the start of the pandemic.

In Northumberland, a total of 146 notices were handed out to people who failed to wear a face covering when needed to, while 11 people were given fines for breaching travel regulations.

The statistics have been criticised by the Joint Committee on Human Rights, who in a report say they believe Coronaviurs Act has been used incorrectly.

“It is astonishing that the Coronavirus Act is still being misunderstood and wrongly applied by police to such an extent that every single criminal charge brought under the Act has been brought incorrectly,” the report said.

On their website, Northumbria Police say they’re committed to working with the public to ensure they remain within the current restrictions.

“Northumbria Police resolves issues every single day by talking to members of the public and we will continue to do this by engaging, explaining and encouraging people to follow the restrictions,” they said.

“We have no desire to use the formal powers now made available to policing but it’s right that we’re able to enforce against those who disregard these measures and put people at risk.”