Non-essential travel could carry £480 fine for repeat offenders

The move comes as Police Scotland looks to step up enforcement of current Covid -19 lockdown restrictions.

And it is stressed that this can shoot up if the offender is fined more than once - after being hit in the wallet for an initial rate of £60.

There have been differing reports of the scale of a second fine with unconfirmed reports that this in fact involves a three figure sum - that has amounted to more than £500.

In a bid to provide clarity on this issue, a Police Scotland spokesperson confirmed:“If this is the offender’s first Fixed Penalty Notice under these pieces of legislation then this will attract a fine of £60, payable at a discount of £30 if paid within 28 days.

“If this is the offenders second Fixed Penalty Notice these pieces of legislation then this will attract a fine of £120 with no discount.

“However, if this is the offenders third Fixed Penalty Notice these pieces of legislation then this will attract a fine of £240 with no discount.

“And if this is the offenders fourth Fixed Penalty Notice these pieces of legislation then this will attract a fine of £480.”

The Scottish Government advises people to use online shopping if possible and only travel within their immediate area for essential shopping. Police Scotland has stated it will step up patrols in communities to explain the regulations to the public.