Neighbouring families fined for travelling in same car to buy ‘essential’ wood
Four adults and five children found crammed inside seven-seater vehicle with timber for 'garden project'
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A family and their neighbours have been hit with Covid fines after they were caught crammed into the same car for a trip to buy “essential” wood.
Plymouth-based police officer Adam Bell revealed police were initially called by a concerned member of the public who reported seeing an “overcrowded, overloaded vehicle” leaving a B&Q car park in the city.
It soon transpired a couple and their five children had been accompanied to the DIY store by two neighbours from another household to pick up some timber for a “garden project”.
Police caught up with them at a property in Sherford where they found the nine passengers crammed inside a seven-seater vehicle with lumber “wedged above their heads”.
A 30-year-old man, who was driving the vehicle, was reported for a string of traffic offences – including driving with a provisional licence, without insurance and while putting others in danger.
While the owner of the car, a 37-year-old man from the other household, who was a passenger in the vehicle, was reported for the same offences.
Police said the men will not be issued Covid-19 fines, in line with national guidance, since they have been reported for the more serious driving offences.
However the two others adults, a 31-year-old woman and 32-year-old woman, were handed fines for breaching social distancing regulations.
PC Adam Bell, of Devon and Cornwall Police, tweeted on Wednesday: “Another day, another Covid-19 fine issued. This time, a couple decided to take their five children to B&Q to pick up some ‘essential’ wood for a garden project.
“What they failed to mention was that they had travelled with their neighbours in the same car…4 adults + 5 children all crammed into a car - not to mention the timber wedged above their heads.
“Needless to say the driver was dealt with separately for numerous traffic offences such as driving otherwise in accordance with a DL, no insurance and causing danger to others.”
A day earlier, police in London shut down a poker games night involving 25 people at a basement flat.
Officers were called to the property in Stoke Newington on Tuesday evening after nearby residents raised concerns.
When they arrived, the officers discovered a group of men had set up a number of different gambling tables to play poker and use other gambling machines, according to police.
Those present claimed the gambling night was a “wake” but the claims were not substantiated in any way, police added in a statement.
As a result, 25 people are now facing a potential £800 fine for breaking coronavirus rules.