With fines in Wales for those who breach Covid-19 restrictions equivalent to a parking fine and substantially lower than those in England, Clwyd West MS Darren Millar is calling for them to be increased.
Currently in Wales anyone found breaking the lockdown restrictions can be issued with a £60 fine for a first offence, which falls to £30 if paid within 14 days. Fines rise to £120 for second and subsequent offences - and individuals ignoring the rules could risk arrest if they refuse to comply.
However, over the border in England members of the public now face a minimum £100 penalty if they breach rules on movement during the outbreak and fines will be doubled for each offence an individual commits up to a total of £3,200.
In light of the disparity and in a bid to ensure people do not flock to Wales from England following the lifting of restrictions there, Darren is calling for tougher fines in Wales.
He said:
“Given that we are dealing with matters of life and death I think that a fine equivalent to something you'd get for a parking violation is totally unacceptable.
“All Chief Constables in Wales have been urging the Welsh Government to increase the fines to ensure that they are a proper deterrent and I add my voice to their calls.
“We need to let anyone flouting the rules here in Wales know that we mean business and that they will be severely punished for their actions. As it stands now, people are prepared to take the risk knowing that if caught they can get away with paying only £30.
“I therefore call on the Welsh Government to review the situation as a matter of urgency.”