Corby and Kettering police warn parents they could be fined if children breach Covid rules

Police issued a number of tickets for the mixing of households

Police in Corby and Kettering have issued a warning to parents after a 'large number' of young people were seen breaking emergency coronavirus restrictions yesterday (Sunday).

Officers from the Kettering and Corby Neighbourhood Policing Team said they attended numerous incidents in open spaces where there have been reports of gatherings, which are currently banned in a bid to slow the spread of Covid-19.

They issued a number of tickets for the mixing of households - and warned parents they could be fined if their child breaks the rules.

In a social media post, they said: "One thing that has stuck out was the large number of young people who were mixing, therefore this message is directed at parents with children who are knowingly going out and breaching the current lockdown restrictions.

"We want to remind you that there is a need for everybody to comply in order to bring infection rates down and protect the most vulnerable within our communities.

"Only this week have we seen that infection rates locally are some of the highest in the country and there is an emphasis on local police to take strong action in enforcing the current law.

"On this note, you as a parent are responsible for your children.

"If police locate your child and deem that they are in breach of the legislation concerning coronavirus restrictions, then you may in turn be issued with a ticket for failing to comply.

"We want to publicise and reiterate this point and hope that it makes some families reflect on their actions and prevent it from continuing to happen, with the ultimate aim of trying to reduce the infection rate."

Corby's Covid rates have almost tripled in seven days and became one of the highest in England last week.

Corby has now overtaken Northampton to have the county's highest infection rate in the past seven days, with 966.5 per 100,000 people.

And the total number of cases in Kettering has now passed 3,000 with county health bosses pleading with the public to stay at home.