A FURTHER five fines were issued to lockdown louts by Lancashire Police in the last week as the numbers dished out continue to drop.

The latest figures show that between June 2 and June 8 the number of fixed penalty notices given out in the county overall increased to 770.

In the two weeks the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations 2020) first came into force, Lancashire officers dished out 380 fines.

The latest figures show that Lancashire is now seventh place in terms of forces which have issued the most tickets, behind North Yorkshire, The Met, Devon and Cornwall, Sussex, West Yorkshire, Dorset and Thames Valley.

Nationally, 15,715 fixed penalty notices have been issued by forces, including the military police and British Transport Police.

A further 2,282 have been given out in Wales.

Chief Constable Andy Rhodes said: “Our aim has always been to encourage and support our communities to comply fully with the restrictions by engaging, explaining and encouraging. The vast majority of people are fully complying with the guidance and advice and we thank them for helping to stop the spread of the virus.

“We are clear that only when faced with non-compliance will we then enforce as a last resort for individuals who have not responded to engage, explain, and encourage and where public health is at risk."