Fines of £800 for anyone attending a house party of more than 15 people will be introduced in England from next week Home Secretary Priti Patel said.

In the Government’s Coronavirus daily briefing yesterday (21/01), Ms Patel said "small minority that refuse to do the right thing" and "To them my message is clear. If you don't follow rules then the police will enforce them,"

Currently in England the fine for those attending illegal indoor gatherings stands at £200 - or £100 if paid early.

Fines of up to £10,000 for holding large illegal gatherings of more than 30 people will still only apply to the organisers.

Police will continue to follow the strategy of engaging with the public, explaining the rules and encouraging compliance, but the Home Office has warned that in severe breaches of lockdown rules, offenders should expect to receive a fine.

Ms Patel said the government would "not stand by while a small number of individuals put others at risk".

Welcoming the fines announcement, Martin Hewitt, chairman of the National Police Chiefs' Council, said large gatherings were "dangerous, irresponsible, and totally unacceptable".

He added: "I hope that the likelihood of an increased fine acts as a disincentive for those people who are thinking of attending or organising such events."

Source: BBC News