Home Business News Police fine seaside ‘tourists’ over Easter weekend lockdown

Police fine seaside ‘tourists’ over Easter weekend lockdown

by LLB Reporter
14th Apr 20 10:21 am

Police issued over 50 fixed penalty notices (FPNs) to people who blatantly ignored the lockdown laws in Brighton, who lived outside the county.

Police officers in Brighton clamped down on “tourists” who defied the governments coronavirus advice to stay at home.

Between Good Friday and Easter Sunday more than 100 fines were handed out across the county.

The police force also issued a fine to a couple who made a 150-mile round trip for a stroll on the beach who were from St Albans in Hertfordshire.

Police in Devon and Plymouth issued fines to three people from the same family after they travelled from London for a “holiday” to visit a cousin.

Police are able to use automated number plate recognition (ANPR) whereby they can easily track motorists who are from out of town.

Another family from London were given a strong talking too by Devon and Cornwall police after they made a 200-mile round trip to go fishing in Torquay.

Sussex Police chief constable Giles York praised the “incredible community spirit” across the county.”

He said, “Unfortunately, a small number of people from outside of the county deemed it appropriate to visit the area, and these people were engaged with, explained to and encouraged to go home, with enforcement being a last – but necessary – resort in some cases.

“The number of FPNs we issued represents a tiny proportion of the thousands of interactions with the public over the weekend.

“We are incredibly grateful to our local communities. We appreciate their patience, resilience and respect and ask them to simply continue in that same manner.”

Over the weekend the police and the Royal Marine Commando Police were on patrol boats to monitor beaches to enforce lockdown restrictions.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) were helping Devon and Cornwall police following reports of large gatherings of people sunbathing.

Devon and Cornwall’s deputy chief constable Paul Netherton said on Saturday, “We are working with the Ministry of Defence police this weekend.

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