Nine police officers have been fined £200 each for breaking England’s national lockdown rules by having breakfast together in a cafe.
The officers, from the Metropolitan Police, were caught by IT manager Brian Jennings who was walking past the cafe when he noticed the gathering at The Chef House Kitchen in Greenwich, London on Saturday, 9 January.
Images emerged online of the nine officers sitting at tables in the cafe a week into the latest lockdown.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “Nine Metropolitan Police officers have been fined for breaching Covid-19 legislation while on duty.
“Photos emerged online earlier this month which appeared to show a group of uniformed officers from the South East Basic Command Unit dining in a local cafe.
“Following an investigation, it was determined that the officers involved should be issued with fixed penalty notices to the value of £200 each.”
Chief Superintendent Rob Atkin added: “Police officers are tasked with enforcing the legislation that has been introduced to stop the spread of the virus and the public rightly expect that they will set an example through their own actions.
“It is disappointing that on this occasion, these officers have fallen short of that expectation. It is right that they will pay a financial penalty and that they will be asked to reflect on their choices.”