Police are appealing to parents, carers and grandparents to talk to their children to find out where they are going and who they are with this Halloween weekend.
Derbyshire Constabulary say they have seen an increase in reports of groups of young people gathering in groups of more than six, which goes against the government's coronavirus rules, over the last couple of weeks.
From Saturday (31 October), the entire county - including all areas in the High Peak - will be under Tier 2 restrictions. This means that you can only meet with people outdoors and in groups of no more than six.
Inspector Rich Buxton said: “We know it is hard for children and young people to not be tempted to meet their friends at evenings and weekends - especially when they are allowed to be together all day in school. But we need them to play their part in reducing the spread of Covid-19.
"The spread of the virus is still very much real and happening, and now more than ever we need them to be following the rules too.”
Police say that officers who see a group of more than six children or young people together at any one time will approach the group, engage with them, explain the current guidance to them, and encourage them to follow it - with enforcement "always being a last resort".
But the force is also warning that it won't be youngsters who get issued with a fine, it will go to their parents - who will have to pay it within 28 days.
As Halloween approaches, police are urging parents to tell their children to not meet their friends in any groups larger than six, explain to them what their actions could lead to, and encourage them to follow the hands-face-space guidance to keep those around them safe.
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