Recommendation 23

HM Government Not Addressed

The Government should conduct a review of fixed penalty notices for COVID-19 offences. The review should consider: • how effective the fixed penalty notice scheme has been for delivering public compliance; • what alternative options there might be for enforcing public health restrictions during a pandemic; and • whether the use of fixed penalty notices should be limited to certain types of offences in the future. These terms of reference could be considered as part of our suggested review by the UKHSA. (Paragraph 61 including Para 54 and 59) Effectiveness of Fixed Penalty Notices The British policing model is one of policing by consent and that has not changed. Throughout the pandemic the police have used the 4Es approach: engaging with individuals who are not following the rules, explaining the rules to them and encouraging them to comply before moving on to enforce the law. The Government did not rely on enforcement as the primary driver of behaviour, but as complementary to other measures to encourage compliance. This included clearer and more consistent communications on the rules. The Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) scheme was put into law in order to reduce transmission of the virus, and has been an important part of enforcement measures, which allow for quick and appropriate action to be taken