St Albans sits in the middle for Hertfordshire’s worst areas for fines related to breaking Covid restrictions, latest figures have revealed. 

Since the country’s second lockdown was announced in November 48 penalties were issued up to March 1 for ignoring rules on travel, gatherings and social distancing. 

Welwyn Hatfield had the highest total (102) among the 10 boroughs, followed by Hertsmere (89) and Watford (78). 

Fines range from £200 for initial breaches to £10,000 for repeat offenders - which included one Watford man who hosted multiple parties in Vicarage Road.

Herts Police’s superintendent Sue Jameson said: “Thankfully the vast majority of people in Hertfordshire have done the right thing and followed the rules so that our officers have not needed to issue a large number of fixed penalty notices.

“On a few occasions, it has been necessary to issue fines, for example to a large group of people socialising together indoors - clearly a blatant breach of lockdown restrictions.”

She also urged people to stick to the current rules and not socialise indoors.

Elsewhere in Hertfordshire 61 fines were issued in Broxbourne and Stevenage had 54. 

Among the least fined areas were North Herts (20), East Herts (11), Three Rivers (11), and Dacorum (9).

A police spokeswoman said: “Officers continue to be out in communities - engaging, explaining and encouraging people to act responsibly and follow coronavirus rules. 

“Enforcement action is a last resort. We are working with local authorities, licensing authorities, COVID marshals and businesses as lockdown eases."

She added people can report rule-breakers online or by calling non-emergency number 101.

Full list: 

Broxbourne: 61
Dacorum: 9
East Herts: 11
Hertsmere: 89
North Herts: 20
Stevenage: 54
St Albans: 48
Three Rivers: 11
Welwyn Hatfield: 102
Watford: 78