Police fined for socialising indoors in breach of Covid rules

A number of police officers in Shetland have been fined for socialising indoors in breach of the coronavirus regulations.

Fellow officers were alerted to a potential illegal gathering in Lerwick’s Russell Crescent at around 6.15pm on Friday.

At the time of the incident, Shetland was still under level three restrictions which prohibits socialising in homes.

Following the police’s arrival, six people were issued with fixed penalty notices and the group was broken up.

Shetland moved into level one of the Scottish Government’s five-tier Covid-alert system on Monday, meaning up to six people from three households can now socialise in homes.

Superintendent Maggie Pettigrew said it was “extremely disappointing” that a “small number” of police officers were involved in Friday’s incident.

She said: “The vast majority of people in Shetland have been sticking to the rules to supress the spread of coronavirus and I would like to thank our community for this.

“It is extremely disappointing that a small number of police officers were involved in a gathering in breach of the regulations on Friday, May 14.

“Their actions undermine the sacrifices you have all have made in the last year and I appreciate many of you will be upset about this incident.

“They have been given fixed penalty notices and reminded of their responsibility to set an example to others.”