As officers returned to a house for the second time in one night over the weekend they were faced with the sight of three women trying to cram themselves into cupboards.

They'd only just been dispersed from a party with three men in Havelock Drive, Dartford on Saturday and were among 729 to receive coronavirus fines of between £200 and £1,000 across Kent.

Also included on that list was a man caught visiting a brothel in Minster, Sheppey at 6pm on Friday.

An hour later a woman was fined after behaving antisocially in a supermarket in Herne Bay. After attending officers offered the woman a mask she refused it, became aggressive and was issued with a fine and moved on from the store.

Then police were called to a property in St Martin’s Road, Canterbury where a party involving around 20 people was taking place. Two men and a woman were fined and the party shut down.

Shortly after 1am a woman was stopped by a patrol in Weymouth Road, Folkestone.

She told officers she had tested positive for Covid-19 three days previously and that she should be self-isolating. She was issued with a fine.

Last week we reported how 30 fines had been issued in the first weekend of the third national lockdown and across the course of the week breaches set people back £12,600.

Assistant Chief Constable Claire Nix said: "We remain in critical times and whilst the NHS have been remarkable in what they have achieved, they are still dealing with an overwhelming amount of seriously ill patients.

"The limitations posed by lockdown are difficult for everyone and it is testament to the people of Kent that the vast majority of residents have changed their way of life to help stop the spread of this virus and protect the most vulnerable within the community. I would like to thank these people for making such sacrifices, which will not only take the strain off the NHS, but ultimately save lives.

"Whilst it is encouraging to see that many are being vaccinated against Covid-19 and the infection rate is slowing, we must not be complacent and use that as an excuse to breach the regulations. The virus remains deadly to many and it is crucial that we all do what we can to protect others and prevent overwhelming our hospitals.

"Officers will continue to patrol the county, explaining, engaging and encouraging people to adhere to the regulations. They will take action against those who show a blatant disregard for others by holding parties or going out when they have a positive Coronavirus test."

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