Police patrol Welsh border

Police in England will attempt to block non-essential journeys out of Wales while the country is under a two-week firebreak lockdown.

Gloucestershire Constabulary confirmed they would patrol routes into the Forest of Dean area and pull over vehicles they suspected of making long journeys.

The force said drivers who turned out to have driven out of Wales without a valid excuse would be advised to turn around and, if they refused, would then be reported to police in Wales who can issue fines.

It said it would form part of a wider police operation in response to high numbers of people from outside the Forest of Dean area visiting Cannop cycle centre and causing congestion by parking on grass verges near it.

A spokesman for the force said: “While we cannot issue fines to those travelling from Wales into the county we can inform the host force of those we stop about what has happened so they can take action.

“Officers will be running an operation from tomorrow and over the weekend that will cover routes from Wales into the Forest of Dean and if we stop someone travelling from Wales we will be engaging with them to find out why, explaining the legislation and encouraging them to turn around if we are not satisfied with their explanation.

“If they don’t turn around we will then inform the force that polices the area they have travelled from so that they can issue a fine.

“It is important to stress that the vast majority of people are abiding by the rules but, in line with our policing approach, we will take action where there are flagrant breaches.”

First Minister Mark Drakeford has described stopping supermarkets from selling non-essential products during the firebreak lockdown as “a matter of fairness”.

Yesterday afternoon, the Welsh Government issued guidance stating that certain sections or aisles of large super markets or department stores “must be cordoned off or emptied, and closed to the public”.

Mr Drakeford said the Welsh Government had been clear that nonessential retail would close during the 17- day period, which began at 6pm yesterday.

He told a press conference that any suggestion the ban, which was announced on Thursday, was based on his own politics was “nonsensical”.

OFF-LIMITS: Shops in Wales will not be allowed to sell non-essential items.