ANYONE wishing to report a breach of Covid-19 restrictions can now do so on the landing page of the Maldon District Council website.

The idea behind the website link is to give residents and others a place to easily report breaches, rather than trying to phone council lines.

And separately, Essex Police also warned residents to comply with the rules as the force released details of incidents where heavy fines were imposed on those breaking Covid-safety regulations this weekend.

At Colchester University, a total of 32 students were given individual fixed penalty notices of £200.

On Friday (9 October) night police found a group of seven people in a car park at the university, all of whom were issued with the fines.

Then on Saturday evening, officers were called to two house parties in Albany Road, Colchester, both of which had eight people inside. Again, all those there were handed fines.

Also on Saturday night, nine students from different accommodation on the campus who met up in a courtyard were fined.

In a separate incident on Sunday, a man received a court summons that carries a £10,000 fine after a wedding reception with 80 guests was brought to an end by police. Officers went to Ariana Gardens in Ivy Barn Lane, Margaretting, after reports from members of the public. He is the first person in the county to be issued with the £10,000 fine.

A spokesperson for Essex Police said: "Our approach is always to explain and engage with people first around the current Covid-19 regulations, as we want to give people the benefit of the doubt and the opportunity to do the right thing and stop the spread of the virus.

"However, as we have always said, where people repeatedly flout the rules, we will take enforcement action.