With coronavirus cases spiralling across Hertfordshire and the county placed in Tier 4 restrictions, Herts Police are urging people to celebrate the New Year safely at home.

Residents have been warned that police will be on patrol looking for opportunistic revellers and rule-breakers.

Those who break the rules will likely be slapped with a large fine.

Hertfordshire was placed in Tier 4 on Sunday December 20, meaning millions of people had to change their Christmas plans in order to slow the spread of a new strain of Covid-19.

Meeting in large groups is not permitted and now, and with New Year’s Eve upon us, Hets Police have warned that officers are “poised to issue Fixed Penalty Notices” to anyone who chooses to organise or attend a party or gathering.

Chief Superintendent Richard Liversidge said: “As we approach 2021, we are urging everyone to take personal responsibility for keeping our communities safe at this challenging time.

“We know it has been a tough year, and the majority of us want to celebrate leaving 2020 behind, but the threat of coronavirus remains. We must be sensible in order to protect individuals, their families and the wider community from COVID-19.

“Over the Christmas period, Hertfordshire’s police officers continued to respond to emergencies and other calls for help, despite the continued risk of exposure to coronavirus, and even provided mutual aid to colleagues in Kent on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

“Officers will continue to be there for you over the New Year bank holiday, alongside all other key workers and emergency services. So again, I ask that everyone continues to celebrate responsibly and in line with the regulations to help protect vital health services and reduce the impact of what we are expecting will be a busy night for us across the Local Policing Command.”