Only eight fines have been issued by the police to customers for failing to wear a face mask in shops, according to the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC).

In the past two months to 17 August, the NPCC revealed that a total of 46 fines had been handed out across England and Wales, with the majority to people on public transport.

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Fines for customers found not wearing a covering were doubled to £200 for a first offence by prime minister Boris Johnson last week.

Les Gilbert, owner of Chard Newsagent in Somerset, told Better Retailing: “The police need to take steps to enforce this by having a visible presence.”

Find out more on our coronavirus information hub for retailers