FOUR people from Stroud were fined after taking part in a social gathering at the weekend.

A spokesman for Gloucestershire Police said: "Officers attended a private address in Stroud following reports of a social gathering.

"Inside the property, officers found four individuals from two different households.

"The individuals were aware of the current national lockdown and that they were breaching Covid-19 regulations by mixing households.

"All four individuals were fined."

Altogether, Gloucestershire Police issued 14 fines over the weekend, including to six friends who had decided to meet up in an outdoor area in Gloucester. Several were found together in the same vehicle.

And in Nailsworth, fines were issued to two people from different households who persistently ignored requests from officers to comply with Covid-19 regulations, after they were found gathering in a public place without a reasonable excuse. Both individuals chose to ignore the rules and were issued with a fine.

A force spokesman said: "We know these cases represent a small minority - we've engaged with hundreds of people since the new lockdown began and know that the overwhelming majority are complying or trying their best to comply with the rules.

"But we will carry on engaging, explaining and encouraging people to stick to the rules, using enforcement where necessary, because we’re in the middle of a public health crisis and this is so important for everyone.

"Please follow the rules and only leave your home for one of the permitted reasons."

For more information on the current rules: bit.ly/38WEB5z