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Isle Of Wight Volunteers Dodge COVID Fines Following 'New Information'

A group on the Isle of Wight have avoided being fined for breaching coronavirus rules - because evidence came to light - which proved they were volunteers and therefore within the law.

Hampshire Constabulary was called to the sports centre on Whitwell Road, Ventnor on Saturday (27) at 4pm, to reports of a gathering of people drinking inside.
Police say six men were initially reported for summons (or fixed penalty notice) in relation to suspected breaches of coronavirus regulations.
The men reportedly complied and left the building.
Following further investigations, the football club confirmed the men in question were volunteers - an exemption to the regulations.
Police say there will be no more action taken against the men and they will not face fines.
When the officer initially arrived on the premises on Saturday, the men were said to be taking a break.

 A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said:

'We were called to the sports centre on Whitwell Road, Ventnor, at around 4pm on Saturday 27 February, after reports of a gathering of people drinking inside.

'Six men were initially reported for summons by the attending officer in relation to fixed penalty notices for suspected breaches of the current Health Protection Regulations by gathering. The men were compliant and left the premises.

'Subsequent enquiries have confirmed that the football club had been aware that the men were undertaking voluntary work, which is covered as an exemption to the regulations, to maintain the buildings in support of grass roots football. The men were taking a break when an officer attended.

'Based on the new information that has been confirmed the men will no longer face fixed penalty notices.

'We would like to remind the public that while the current national restrictions are in place until at least the end of March, people are advised to stay indoors and only leave for essential reasons. This includes leaving home for the purposes of work or to provide voluntary or charitable services, where it isn’t reasonably possible to do so from home.'

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