Three people arrested for suspected fake Covid vaccination records
All suspects remain in custody while investigations continue
Three people have been arrested by the Met Police's Cyber Crime team in connection with suspected fake Covid-19 vaccination records.
A 27-year-old man and a 23-year-old man, both from Ilford, were arrested for unauthorised computer access and conspiracy to commit fraud by misrepresentation.
Searches at a residential property are underway and 11 devices have been seized.
In an unrelated investigation another 36-year-old man from Ilford was also arrested on the same conditions.
Three devices were seized and officers are searching a residential address.
In both cases, NHS staff noticed suspicious patterns on vaccination records on their online system. Then they reported their concerns to Action Fraud who sent the information to the Met.
All three suspects remain in custody while the two separate investigations continue.
Detective Superintendent Helen Rance from the central Cyber Crime Team said:
"It is concerning that individuals may have fraudulently created false COVID-19 vaccination records during a time when levels of the virus are rising.
"The staff at both Trusts did the right thing and reported their concerns which has allowed us to fully investigate the circumstances.
Ms Rance also reassured the public that no systems were hacked into from outside the NHS networks. She added that the integrity of the NHS systems remains "robust."
People could be fined up to £10,000 for faking records
From today (15th December), people must use a Covid pass or have proof of a negative test to gain entry into nightclubs and big events in England.
Fines for fake Covid vaccine passes or giving the wrong test result could reach £10,000 under new laws that came into force this morning.
In a bid to stop the spread of the Omicron variant, it is now an offence to falsify a Covid test or pass.
Other offences under the regulations could also result in fines for breaking the rules.
These include a £1,000 fine in the first instance, reduced to £500 if paid within 14 days, for venues that don't comply with the rules or ignore improvement or closure notices.
The fines double for the second and third offences (£2,000 and then £4,000), jumping to £10,000 for the fourth or any subsequent offences.
Now that the 'Plan B' vote has passed, here's what you need to do:
Face coverings
Face coverings have already become an added feature of our lives since they were reinstated at the beginning of December, but from Friday 10th December face masks will also be needed indoors in places like cinemas and theatres.
Boris Johnson said rules around the wearing of face coverings would be "further extended" to "most public indoor venues" including theatres and cinemas.
The Prime Minister told a press briefing in Downing Street: "There will of course be exemptions where it is not practical, such as when eating, drinking, exercising or singing."
Working from home
Under the rules of "Plan B", the government has reimposed the need to work from home where possible in order to stem the spread of the virus. This guidance comes into place from Monday 13th December.
Nightclubs
Under the government's "Plan B" , COVID passports will become necessary to get into all nightclubs. This is due to the close proximity people would be to each other in the venue and help to reduce the spread of the virus.
Indoor spaces
Indoor settings that have more than 500 people unseated will require a COVID Pass to enter. Examples of settings that would need attendees to have a COVID Pass would include music venues and large receptions.
Outdoor events
Outdoor events are not exempt from using COVID Passes either. Unseated outdoor venues with more than 4,000 people will need people to have a vaccine pass. This includes outdoor music festivals, such as Glastonbury Festival.
Stadiums
COVID Passes will be needed to get into any event that is expecting more than 10,000 people to attend. This would include major sports events such as football matches, as well as music concerts in arenas.
The Prime Minister said: "The NHS Covid pass can still be obtained with two doses but we will keep this under review as the boosters roll out.
"And having taken clinical advice since the emergence of Omicron, a negative lateral flow test will also be sufficient."