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# 800 people a day breaching Covid-19 restrictions in Birmingham
- URL: https://www.birminghameastside.co.uk/800-people-a-day-breaching-covid-19-restrictions-in-birmingham/
- Published: 2021-01-11T12:45:01.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-14T10:01:04.000Z
- Author: Nathan Clarke
- Tags: News, #Migrated-1786701253228, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-14 09:54

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/63/9b/639bf577-7ed7-44fe-8d64-ac66eaeee42e/content/images/2026/08/photo-1570909776719-186852c5ea6f.jpg)

Credit: Phil Hearing via [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/photos/xBNaf9VL8Es?ref=birminghameastside.co.uk)

**800 people a day** are being ordered to leave public areas for breaching Covid-19 restrictions as the West Midlands Police (WMP) seek to clamp down on Covid-19 rule breaking.

The WMP have issued **970 fixed penalty notices** since the start of the second national lockdown and are receiving **200 calls per day** from people reporting Covid-19 restriction breaches.

Speaking at a **West Midlands Combined Authority** press briefing, Deputy Police Commissioner **Waheed Saleem** [spoke out](https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/imbeciles-deputy-police-crime-commissioner-19589313?ref=birminghameastside.co.uk) against “imbeciles” who continue to flout restrictions.

> “There are a small number of imbeciles who continue to break the rules when they know the virus is deadly”.

There were **over 300** illegal gatherings [reported to police](https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-mass-gatherings-and-new-years-eve-parties-broken-up-by-police-in-birmingham-12176569?ref=birminghameastside.co.uk) across Birmingham on New Year’s Eve.

Home secretary **Priti Patel** has stressed that "strong enforcement" of Covid-19 restrictions are necessary to "safeguard our country's recovery from this deadly virus" - she is [calling on police forces](https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-more-fines-expected-for-lockdown-breaches-as-home-secretary-warns-of-tighter-enforcement-12183749?ref=birminghameastside.co.uk) around the country to target rule-breakers.

National Police Chiefs’ Council Chair, **Martin Hewitt** thanked the “vast majority” for sticking to the rules but warned that “those who blatantly ignore the regulations" should [expect to receive fines](https://news.npcc.police.uk/releases/update-on-national-crime-trends-and-fixed-penalty-notices-issued-under-covid-regulations?ref=birminghameastside.co.uk).

According to the **National Police Chiefs Council**, a total of **32,329** fixed penalty notices were issued in England and Wales under Coronavirus Regulations between Friday 27 March and Monday 21 December.

[80 per cent](https://news.npcc.police.uk/releases/update-on-national-crime-trends-and-fixed-penalty-notices-issued-under-covid-regulations?ref=birminghameastside.co.uk) of all coronavirus notices were given to those aged between 18-39.

Assistant Chief Constable **Chris Todd** has defended issuing seven, £200 fines to people attending a [peaceful protest](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/west-midlands-police-issues-671-19598602?ref=birminghameastside.co.uk) outside police headquarters organised by campaign group **Justice4the21**.

The decision to fine campaigners was [labelled](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/mps-label-birmingham-pub-bombings-19597223?ref=birminghameastside.co.uk) “morally wrong” by Northfield MP **Gary Sambrook.**

In a [statement ](https://west-midlands.police.uk/news/statement-acc-todd-regarding-fines-issued-following-gathering?ref=birminghameastside.co.uk)issued yesterday (10 December), Mr Todd said:

> “We accept the right to freedom of expression and peaceful protest is a key part of any democracy. However, coronavirus remains a deadly disease and there are still restrictions in place to prevent its spread.”