Covid-19 face mask fine scams warning issued in Doncaster

Con artists are reportedly posing as council workers in Doncaster and issuing fraudulent fines to people not wearing face masks.
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Doncaster Council has issued a warning after reports that people claiming to work for the council were issuing fines to shoppers not wearing face coverings outside Premier Montrose Food and Wine on Montrose Avenue, Intake.

Face masks are mandatory for customers in shops, takeaways and on public transport to slow the spread of coronavirus, though children aged under 11 and those with certain medical conditions are exempt.

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Supermarket staff and council workers are not expected to enforce the law which intends to control the Covid-19 pandemic. Police have been given powers to hand out fines of £100 to those who do not comply with the new rules.

There are concerns that people impersonating council workers are handing out fines for not wearing masks in Doncaster (Photo by LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP via Getty Images)There are concerns that people impersonating council workers are handing out fines for not wearing masks in Doncaster (Photo by LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP via Getty Images)
There are concerns that people impersonating council workers are handing out fines for not wearing masks in Doncaster (Photo by LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP via Getty Images)

While local authority workers have been active in Intake, urging customers to wear face coverings when entering shops, council workers do not have the ability to issue fines for those flouting the rules.

A spokesperson for Doncaster Council said: “As part of our community engagement work, council officers have been in the Montrose Area recently, advising people to wear face coverings to enter shops and putting up posters about the importance of wearing them.

"The council does not issue fines for not wearing a face covering.

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“Only the police are responsible for issuing fines for not wearing a face covering when required, anyone posing as an official asking for fines to be paid should be reported to South Yorkshire Police by calling 101.”

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