A COUNCIL issued 16 fines and assisted in two arrests for breaking local coronavirus lockdown restrictions in three weeks.

Blackburn with Darwen’s executive member for health Cllr Mustafa Desai said the town hall had received 115 complaints about non-compliance with the rules.

In a report to Thursday’s council forum meeting he says: “From August, following the stricter local Covid arrangements for Blackburn with Darwen being required, the community safety team has begun coordinating daily meetings with the police, council public protection and environmental health team and young people’s services.

“In the first three weeks, the daily meetings have reviewed 115 complaints – 21 complaints required no further action as no breaches of the lockdown rules had taken place; in 74 complaints, the resident or business received advice on the guidance to educate, encourage and engage them; and for 21 complaints, enforcement action was undertaken.

“Enforcement action has resulted in 16 Fixed Penalty Notices, three business closures, 13 Community Protection Warnings, two arrests and six Acceptable Behaviour Contracts.”