AROUND two-thirds of coronavirus fines in England and Wales have been handed to those under the age of 35, police figures show.

Data released by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) on Wednesday shows 20,223 fines for breaching coronavirus restrictions were issued by police in England and Wales between March 27 and October 19.

There were 2,772 in Wales (533 of which were issued in North Wales) and 17,451 in England.

Of the national total, 980 were issued for breaches of local lockdown laws – with the majority issued by the Greater Manchester (374) and Northumbria (366) forces.

Overall, the weekly number of fines rose between mid-September and early October.

Around eight in 10 of the enforcement notices were issued to men, 78 per cent, while 35 per cent went to 18 to 24-year-olds, 18 per cent to those aged 25-29 and 14 per cent to people aged 30-34.

Where the person fined self-identified their ethnicity, 80 per cent went to a white person, 12 per cent to an Asian person and 5 per cent to someone who is black.

In England, 64 fines were issued for large gatherings such as illegal raves and parties, carrying a £10,000 penalty. Two were handed out in Wales.

There were also 399 fines for breaches of the rule of six, which came into force on September 14.

On face coverings, 258 fixed penalties were handed out between June 15 and October 19 in England and Wales.

Of these, 86 were on public transport, handed out by nine forces, while 172 were in settings such as shops, across 21 forces.

International quarantine figures show that up to October 19, 4,518 cases investigated by the police found the person abiding by the rules, while another 284 were in breach but they were persuaded to obey the rules without being fined.

However, 380 people had given the wrong address so no police action could be taken, while another 629 were out when officers attended and so also faced no further police action.

The NPCC said these cases are referred back to UK Border Force.

NPCC chairman Martin Hewitt said: “We have seen an increase in enforcement activity in the last month, reflecting new regulations coming into effect, and a shift towards quicker enforcement against those knowingly breaking the rules.

“Where people don’t listen to police officers’ encouragement then we will take action. That is our job and I believe the public expect us to do that.

“Coronavirus is something we have all had to rapidly adapt to, and officers have had to pick up new regulations in a record pace and apply them across the population.

“The number of instances where enforcement action is necessary at all is a small fraction of the total engagement we have had with the public.

“Enforcement doesn’t and shouldn’t always equal police involvement. Individuals, businesses and a range of agencies all have a responsibility to ensure the virus is suppressed, and police will continue to play their part.”