Police attacked whilst responding to more than 500 weekend lockdown breaches
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Lancashire Police said three of its officers were assaulted during one of its most challenging weekend since lockdown began, with a total of 517 suspected breaches reported to the force.
It said a total of 181 people were fined for alleged breaches of lockdown restrictions between Friday morning and midnight Sunday.
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Hide AdBut the majority of the incidents reported to police were deemed to be within the regulations or resulted in no enforcement action being taken. A total of 336 incidents were resolved without the need to issue fines.
The force confirmed that three of its officers were attacked whilst responding to lockdown-related incidents , but said that the officers were not seriously injured.
This morning, a police spokesman said: "These assaults – while unacceptable - were thankfully relatively minor."
The force said it will provide more details on the assaults and a round-up of the weekend's lockdown breaches later today.
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Hide AdWe do know that one of the incidents occurred at Reps Gym in Preston, where its owner Steven Todd was visited by police for an 11th time for refusing to close.
The Lancashire Post had been at the gym at the time of the police visit and you can read our full report and view our video of the incident here.
Another incident led to eight people being fined after officers raided a birthday party in Blackpool.
The continued flouting of lockdown restrictions has aggravated the force's deputy chief constable Terry Woods, who said the weekend was one of the busiest yet for his officers.
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Hide AdThis morning, he tweeted: "Just reviewed weekends COVID incidents - one of the busiest we’ve had at 517 incidents. 181 Fines issued. 3 officers assaulted.
"Thanks again to the silent majority of the public doing their best. Thanks to my staff for their efforts protecting the NHS & public."
Last weekend, 195 fines were issued for alleged breaches, with some of those reported for hosting hot tub party's, attending anti-lockdown protests and playing football in parks.