Coronavirus: Couple fined after driving 300 miles for lockdown ‘mini-break’

Police find pair sleeping in uninsured car near beach

A couple who drove 300 miles to Cornwall for a “mini-break” during the coronavirus lockdown have been fined by police.

The pair were found sleeping in their car in Falmouth by an officer patrolling beaches and beauty spots on Saturday morning.

Checks revealed they both lived in Kent – and the driver had no licence or insurance for the vehicle.

The constable who found the couple – who calls herself “The Hungry Copper” on Twitter – seized the car and issued two fixed penalty notices for breaching the restrictions.

Her local area commander, Superintendent Adrian Leisk, praised the officer’s “good work”.

“Still struggle to comprehend the selfishness of a minority of individuals,” he said.

“Important message for those still thinking it’s a good idea to ignore the Government guidance; you will be fined, you will be turned around (and in this case we’ll seize your car).”

Devon and Cornwall Police said it had issued nearly 300 fines for breaches of coronavirus restrictions in the ten days up to 20 April.

The force said the penalties were a “last resort” and mostly related to “non-essential travel”.

Assistant Chief Constable Glen Mayhew said: “There is no room for complacency and we must all keep adhering to the government advice. Keep staying at home, try to stay local when exercising and only undertake essential travel. This will help us protect the NHS and ultimately, to save lives.

“The majority of people are continuing to play their part in reducing the spread of Covid-19 and to them that I say thank you, your role in this should not be underestimated.

“It’s important to remember that a key factor is if a person’s actions are reasonable or not, and this is why our officers will continue to have conversations with those they stop and will make individual judgements based on specific circumstances presented to them.”

Meanwhile in North Yorkshire, police fined a man who travelled to Bolton Abbey to take pictures of the stars on Friday night.