Six fined for travelling to Oban party from level four area

Six people have been fined by police for travelling from a level four area into Oban for a house party.

The town’s local authority, Argyll and Bute, is currently in level two of the Scottish Government’s five-tier alert system.

Those living in level three and four areas are currently banned from travelling elsewhere in Scotland unless they have a reasonable excuse.

A further four people, who were the occupants of a vehicle that travelled from a level four area into Oban, were also issued fixed penalty notices.

Inspector Mark Stephen said: “We are asking people to take personal responsibility to do the right thing and remember the purpose of these measures is to aid the collective effort to protect the NHS and save lives by preventing the virus from spreading.

“The policing approach we adopted from the outset of the pandemic will not change. Our officers will continue to engage with the public, explain the legislation and guidance, and encourage compliance.

“We will use enforcement as a last resort where there is a clear breach of the legislation.

“The chief constable has said publicly on numerous occasions that we will not be routinely stopping vehicles or setting up road blocks, and that will not change as a result of travel restrictions now being in law.

“However, officers may in the course of their duties come across people who are travelling from one local authority area to another.

“In areas where travel restrictions apply, officers will continue to use the common sense, discretion and excellent judgement that they have applied since the crisis began.”