Fines on partygoers during lockdown will be stricter from next week, it has been announced.

Home Secretary Priti Patel revealed in the latest Covid-19 briefing from Downing Street that police will be given the power to issue £800 fines to those holding parties during lockdown.

Police officers will be given powers to issue the fine on the first offence as the Home Office looks to crack down on those flouting Covid-19 restrictions.

The new fine is an increase from £200. Each further offence will see fines double. The maximum penalty for hosting “Covid parties” will be £6,400.

The Home Secretary added that the fines will apply to gatherings of more than 15 people in homes.

She added that Covid-19 restrictions are “always under review” and that although the majority of people are following lockdown measures, some examples of people flouting the rules are "shocking."

Priti Patel said: "Police officers are now moving more quickly to hand out fines when they encounter breaches and they have my absolute backing in doing so."

Mobility data from Google, the Department for Transport and Apple has revealed that people are moving around more in the third lockdown than those previous.