Visit Cornwall for bank holiday and we’ll fine you, say police enforcing lockdown rules
A POLICE force is threatening to fine visitors who enter Devon and Cornwall as they warn the public to stay at home during the Easter bank holiday.
Devon and Cornwall police chiefs say holidaymakers and second home owners caught travelling to the South West for the Easter weekend will be fined and refused entry.
Ch Supt Ian Drummond-smith, police commander for Cornwall, said: “Our officers will be patrolling this weekend, firstly on the M5 and A30 in an attempt to prevent visitors from entering the force area, and then locally to enforce the restrictions.
“We will do so in a fair and balanced manner, but travelling down to the West Country is a serious breach of these restrictions and those doing so can expect to receive a fine.”
It is one of a number of popular Easter holiday destinations where officers have warned they are “shut” to visitors on a weekend that is seen as crucial by the Government and police if the lockdown is to succeed in stemming the spread of the coronavirus.
Cumbria Police posted: “The Lake District is closed. Please do not travel to the lakes.” And the North Wales force declared: “If you are planning an Easter getaway, please note North Wales is closed to visitors.”
Nigel Harrison, North Wales assistant chief constable, said: “Our advice is do not travel into North Wales illegally. Moving around can easily accelerate the spread of the virus.”
Local police have set up checkpoints outside Welshpool and Newtown in neighbouring Dyfed-powys to try to stem the flow of tourists and second home owners travelling from England.
Liz Saville Roberts, MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, said tourists were sneaking in at night or using alternative roads to avoid detection, or even just accepting the £60 fines and travelling on to their destination.
“We have accounts of people with holiday homes sharing advice with each other to travel at night to avoid the police and even the people who don’t care if they’re fined when they travel – they’ve set out and they want to arrive,” she said.
“The police are doing the best they can with the resources available and they do ask local people who have any reports of people travelling to such accommodation to contact them via email or via webchat.”
Lee Freeman, Humberside’s constable, warned: “We are at a crucial point in the timescale of the virus.” He warned parents in particular that they faced fines if they failed to stop their children gathering in groups of more than two. “I would like to remind parents that children in their care are their responsibility,” he said.
“We have had several reports about groups of young people gathering outside their family unit, and we know this is a big concern to our communities. We have already had to issue some parents or carers with fines following the behaviour of children in their care.”
North Lincolnshire council has closed the car parks for many of the area’s beaches and open spaces ahead of the Easter holidays, while Police Scotland are stopping people crossing to Scottish islands on ferries unless they have a legitimate reason to travel.
Forces throughout the UK – from South Yorkshire to Suffolk and Gwent – said they were stepping up patrols on the bank holiday. British Transport Police said it would have “increased presence” at stations used for holidays and breaks to warn travellers to make only “essential” journeys.
Gwent Police said people could expect to be asked why they were out in any form of travel. “Expect [officers] to talk to you about why you have decided to travel by any means,” said Supt Glyn Fernquest.
David Cutler, Suffolk’s assistant chief constable, accused the minority flouting the rules of being “selfish” and “unacceptable”, adding that it was “perplexing and frustrating” that they were ignoring powerful messages of support for the NHS by other members of the public.
“I hope the heart-wrenching testimonies from doctors and nurses will cause these individuals to take a long, hard look at their behaviour and consider the danger they are potentially exposing themselves, their families, the public and NHS workers to,” he said.
Police in London yesterday had to break up a group of up to 30 men who were caught playing cricket in a park.
An online video showed the men fleeing from officers with some picking up items of clothing from the grass as they ran away, while others appeared to leave their belongings behind.