MORE than 300 fines were issued to people breaking coronavirus rules over the Hogmanay period, police statistics have revealed.
Officers handed out 326 fixed penalty notices between December 28 and January 3, with 21 people also arrested.
Nicola Sturgeon had pleaded with Scots to stick to the rules as a new variant sparked a surge in cases.
Indoor gatherings were banned and constraints were placed on outdoor meetings over the new year period.
But the new figures show that, on top of the arrests and fines, police dispersed 858 people across Scotland on December 31 and January 1. Seven of those people were dispersed using "reasonable force".
Hundreds of revellers had to be dispersed from Edinburgh Castle on Hogmanay after they gathered to sing and dance.
READ MORE: Police disperse crowds gathered for Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh
However, overall the number of people fined over the period was down on the previous week – 341 people were issued with fixed penalty notices between 16 and 27 December, while 18 were arrested.
Restrictions have since been tightened, with people in mainland Scotland now under legally enforceable stay-at-home orders. Rules relating to outdoor meetings have also been made stricter.
Speaking on BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland, Deputy Chief Constable Malcolm Graham said he was confident a "collective effort" in complying with the latest Covid laws will continue.
He said: "We fully recognise the impact these further restrictions will have on people's lives.
"We will have an increased visible presence of police officers in communities to support people and educate them on what the new regulations are.
"It has been astounding when you look at the level of restrictions and the sacrifice people have made that we have not seen an increase in the number of people not willing to comply."
But Graham said the force "would not hesitate" to take enforcement action on the small number of people not sticking to the rules.
Coronavirus fines start at £30, doubling to £60 if they are not paid within 28 days. Repeat offenders can face fines of up to £960.
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