Watford is among Hertfordshire’s three worst areas for fines related to breaking Covid restrictions, latest figures have revealed. 

Since the country’s second lockdown was announced in November 78 penalties were issued up to March 1 for ignoring rules on travel, gatherings and social distancing. 

Only Welwyn Hatfield (102) and Hertsmere (89) - which includes Bushey - had higher totals among the 10 boroughs, while Three Rivers and Dacorum had 11 and nine respectively. 

Fines range from £200 for initial breaches to £10,000 for repeat offenders - which included one Watford man who hosted multiple parties in Vicarage Road.

In Watford 17 charges were issued in November while the country was in full lockdown, before another 10 were recorded as restrictions were loosened in December. 

But in January, when lockdown measures we re-introduced, another 22 people were fined, followed by 29 more in February. 

Herts Police’s superintendent Sue Jameson said: “Thankfully the vast majority of people in Hertfordshire have done the right thing and followed the rules so that our officers have not needed to issue a large number of fixed penalty notices.

“On a few occasions, it has been necessary to issue fines, for example to a large group of people socialising together indoors - clearly a blatant breach of lockdown restrictions.”

Research by the Observer also revealed that just under 50 per cent (38) of Watford’s fines were given to people aged between 19 to 24. 

The youngest recipients were 18 years old (2) while the oldest was a 61-year-old. 

Supt Jameson, referring to indoor socialising, added: “As this is one of the key rules remaining in place at the moment, we would urge residents to continue to play their part and keep following the rules as lockdown eases.”

Elsewhere in Hertfordshire 61 fines were issued in Broxbourne, Stevenage had 54 and St Albans 48. 

They were followed by North Herts (20) and East Herts (11).

A police spokeswoman said: “Officers continue to be out in communities - engaging, explaining and encouraging people to act responsibly and follow coronavirus rules. 

“Enforcement action is a last resort. We are working with local authorities, licensing authorities, COVID marshals and businesses as lockdown eases."

She added people can report rule-breakers online or by calling non-emergency number 101.

Full list: 

Broxbourne: 61
Dacorum: 9
East Herts: 11
Hertsmere: 89
North Herts: 20
Stevenage: 54
St Albans: 48
Three Rivers: 11
Welwyn Hatfield: 102
Watford: 78