DOZENS of fines were issued by police after they detected several illegal lockdown gatherings across Renfrewshire at the weekend.

Officers were called to a number of house parties in the local area, with more than 30 Covid tickets dished out to revellers.

One of the largest gatherings took place in Station Rise, Lochwinnoch, where eight people were issued with a fixed penalty notice after they were found to be having a party inside a garage at around 9.50pm on Saturday.

Later that night, at around 11pm, six people were dispersed by police in Renfrew after being heard playing loud music at a property in Mulberry Crescent.

Officers were also called to a party being held in a garden shed in Moss Road, Bridge of Weir, at around 1.45am on Sunday, with six Covid tickets issued on that occasion.

Later that day, a resident in Houston Court, Renfrew, was issued with a £240 fine after being found in breach of lockdown restrictions for a third time.

A 23-year-old man was also issued with a Covid ticket and a fixed penalty notice for breach of the peace after causing a disturbance at a Lidl store in Johnstone's High Street at around 6.10 on Sunday.

Over the weekend, more revellers were fined and dispersed by officers in Shaw Place, Linwood; Golf Road, Bishopton; Sempill Avenue, Erskine; and Skye Avenue, Renfrew.

Sergeant Jason Cooper, based at Johnstone police station, told The Gazette: "People should not leave their homes unless it is for essential purposes.

"The ban on indoor gatherings applies to garden sheds and garages, as well as houses."

Police said there has also been an ongoing issue with people playing football at the Anchor Grounds, in Blackhall Street, Paisley, with around 60 people gathered there at 2pm on Saturday.

These latest incidents follow multiple lockdown breaches detected by police across Renfrewshire earlier this month.

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