The Government made it a legal requirement to wear face masks on public transport from June 15, in shops from July 24 and in many other locations from August 8.

It gave police the power to issue a £100 fine to anyone who failed to observe the rules but, to date, Kent Police has not issued a single one.

But it turns out they are not alone.

Freedom of Information requests were submitted to all 40 police forces in England asking how many fines were issued since face coverings/masks were made compulsory, other than for those who are exempt for a medical reason.

Responses were received from 34 forces and there have been just 54 fines across the whole country - the vast majority of which relate to use of public transport.

Up until September 25, only three forces had issued any fines: Lancashire (two) and Lincolnshire (one), with British Transport Police issuing 51 fixed penalty notices.

In Kent, while no one has been fined for refusing to wear a covering, there has been one arrest,.

Kent's Assistant Chief Constable Claire Nix said: "Kent Police officers are continuing to patrol locations across the county to engage with anyone found in breach of the coronavirus restrictions, to explain why they are necessary and to encourage them to comply.

"Enforcement is only being used as a last resort in line with national guidance."

On the arrest, she added: "On Monday, September 14, a man was arrested in Greenhithe after refusing to wear a face covering, and was later charged with an offence under the coronavirus regulations in addition to two counts of assaulting an emergency worker.

"There have been no other arrests or fines issued for refusing to wear a face covering to date."

But she said: "This is a reflection on the positive engagement our officers have had with people in the community and how the majority are adhering to the legislation.

"Covid-19 remains a serious threat and we cannot afford to be complacent at this critical stage of the pandemic."

"We would much rather encourage people to follow the rules than reach a point where we have no other option but to arrest them or issue them with a fine.

"Fortunately the vast majority of people in Kent are continuing to play their part to help control the spread of the virus and save lives, and it is also pleasing that business owners and transport providers are taking responsibility for encouraging their customers to wear face coverings too.

"Covid-19 remains a serious threat and we cannot afford to be complacent at this critical stage of the pandemic."

Neil Mennie, the chairman of the Kent Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, said: "The policing of face mask wearing remains a challenge and has to be balanced against a number of competing demands related to the COVID legislation.

"Quite rightly a system of prioritisation has to apply with all elements of policing and most of the public here in Kent are wearing masks as required."

He added: "Enforcement and fines are very much a last resort and it remains impractical for our members to spend time seeking out those not wearing masks. There will be circumstances where fines may be appropriate.

"Even in such a scenario, the discretion and judgment of the officers remain paramount."

Mr Mennie said the usual business of policing had to continue and function alongside COVID and that, generally, it remained "extremely busy".

The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) has already said it expected shopkeepers to manage entry into their stores and compliance with the law while inside.

But Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the Commons: “Should an individual without an exemption refuse to wear a face covering, a shop can refuse them entry and can call the police if people refuse to comply."

Kent's Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott said: "I support Kent Police’s approach, which is to engage, educate and encourage.

"Enforcement should only be a last resort – and this shows that broadly the people of Kent are complying with the guidance on face coverings, or following the advice given to them.

"We should all thank police officers, staff, and volunteers for everything they have done to keep Kent residents safe in recent months; both in terms of continuing normal policing business and the way they have implemented the coronavirus regulations."

British Transport Police said it had spoken to 50,729 people between June 30 and September 8 for not wearing face masks.

Of those, on 3,545 occasions passengers not wearing face coverings were approached and asked to leave the train or premises.

Fines were issued in 51 cases where the offender refused to co-operate.

The FOI data was commissioned by Reboot Digital.

Welsh and Northern Ireland forces and Police Scotland were not contacted as there are different rules in the devolved nations.

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