Heysham pub named by police after weekend lockdown breaches

Lancashire Police said it had been called out to "hundreds" of reports of lockdown breaches over the weekend, with local pubs and gyms among the businesses suspected of flouting restrictions.

Deputy chief constable Terry Woods said most of the reported breaches were in response to gatherings at homes and public spaces, with the majority of those a result of tip-offs from the public.

But some businesses were also reported and have now been "named and shamed" by the county's police force, with one pub landlord hit with a £200 fine for allegedly breaching regulations.

Among those named by police is The Old Hall pub in Heysham Road, Heysham.

Police were called to The Old Hall pub at around 11pm on Friday where seven people were found inside.

Officers established that four of those people lived on the premises, but two others were given police advice and asked to leave the pub.

One man was also arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly, but was later 'de-arrested'. Police said the man will be 'spoken with' at a later date.

The landlord was given a £200 fine (reduced to £100 if paid within 14 days) and the matter has been referred to the licensing department for further investigation.

New data published on Friday revealed that Lancashire Police had handed out more than 1,500 lockdown fines since last March - the fourth highest of England's 43 police forces.

On Sunday evening (January 10), deputy chief constable Terry Woods expressed his frustration at the casual flouting of lockdown restrictions, as the county continues to battle a surge in new coronavirus cases.

He tweeted: "Sadly, a busy weekend concerning blatant Covid breaches. Hundreds of incidents reported by the public.

"Reports of pubs, a gym & even someone filming staff at testing centre. Summary - not enough people staying home, some stretching excuses meanwhile NHS & public services are creaking folks."