A barbershop has been issued a £1,000 coronavirus fine after operating a mobile hair cutting business out of the back of a van during the second lockdown.
The business, which had previously been handed a prohibition notice by Swindon Borough Council and two warnings from Wiltshire Police, has continuously failed to engage with the local authority or the police.
This week a PCSO was out on foot patrol when he spotted the van with the barbers’ branding on the side. When he approached the van he found the barber cutting a customer’s hair in the back, breaching lockdown regulations.
Intelligence was submitted to Swindon Borough Council’s Trading Standards team and a council representative and police officer visited the premises last night to issue the fine.
Supt. Adrian Burt said: “This is a great example of the ongoing partnership work between the police and the local authority to ensure businesses and residents understand the importance of the current Government restrictions.
“This particular business had been on our radar for some time, receiving a prohibition notice during the first national lockdown and again more recently, so they were fully aware that they were breaking the rules.
“Despite this engagement, they have continued to break the law at a time when so many businesses are having to make sacrifices – therefore it is only right that this enforcement action has been taken.”
