BEAUTY SPOT PATROLS TO STOP CROWDS GATHERING
POLICE have been patrolling Llanelli beauty spots after crowds were spotted at Llanelli beach last week.
Dyfed-Powys Police has been speaking to drivers at car parks in some of Llanelli’s popular walking locations, including Sandy Water Park and North Dock, advising drivers on Covid-19 regulations.
The force was conducting high-visibility patrols last Thursday and advised 28 out of 40 drivers to leave the area and go home.
Current Covid-19 restrictions permit only essential travel, which includes: going to buy food; for work or education (if you can’t work from home); or to provide care to a vulnerable person.
The Welsh Government has stated that exercise is one of the essential reasons people may leave their homes for, but that it should be done locally and from home on foot or bicycle.
Regulations also state that this should not include people driving to a location to undertake their exercise.
Earlier, Dyfed-Powys Police urged people to stay at home after crowds had started gathering near Llanelli beach.
A statement from the force said: “We are seeing an increase of crowds gathering at the beach and other beauty spots in Llanelli.
“Please remember that Welsh Government restrictions state that exercise should start and finish at your home. You should not travel to exercise.”
Police were also patrolling Pen y Fan in the Brecon Beacons at the end of 2020 after crowds of walkers were seen flocking to the mountain.
Dyfed-Powys Police issued fines to people who had travelled from as far as Hertfordshire and Cheltenham to walk up the mountain.
Coronavirus regulations allow fixed penalty notices to be issued for most types of breaches.
The first offence carries a fine of £60; this is increased to £120 for a second offence, and continues to double for repeated offences, up to a maximum of £1,920.
Pembrey Country Park has also issued a reminder that, according to Welsh Government rules, “exercise should start and finish from your home and generally this should not involve people driving to a location away from your home”.
Some exceptions include people with specific health or mobility issues who may need to travel from their home in order to be able to exercise.
A statement from Dyfed-Powys Police on social media said: “High visibility patrols conducted at Llanelli beauty spots car parks today (January 7).
“We have spoken to over 40 drivers and 28 of them were advised to leave the area.”