TEMPERATURES this weekend are hitting 24 degrees in some parts of the country – and police have warned people not to use this as an excuse to break the lockdown rules.
People who go to the beach or have a picnic could be fined up to £960 or even get arrested.
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The current rules mean police are able to issue £60 fines on the spot for anyone breaking the rules.
This can be reduced to £30 if paid within 30 days.
However, repeat offenders will face much steeper charges, with it doubling to £120 for a second offence, and continuing to double up to £960.
Anyone who refuses to give their name and address to avoid being fined could face arrest.
The current lockdown rules only allow people outside for essential reasons – to buy food and medicine, for exercise, for medical appointments or visits, and for essential work.
Social distancing also dictates that people remain at least 2m apart from each other at all times, unless in the same households, otherwise groups of more than two people are banned.
Barbecues and sunbathing in parks and open spaces are prohibited and so are visits to the beach or sight-seeing.
Police are now asking for more lockdown powers as people continue to ignore social distancing rules.
Police and crime commissioner for North Yorkshire Julia Mulligan told the Guardian: “There is a lot of preparation to get the message out to people not to visit beauty spots and we have had complaints from farmers who are seeing 20 cars in their lanes and people going walking.”
Thousands of Brits have flocked to parks and beaches during the sunny weather and during the weekends, despite warnings that stricter lockdown rules could come into force.
In London, joggers and dog walkers crowded Battersea Park despite social distancing rules to stay at least six feet apart from one another, while Brighton beach also saw large groups of visitors.
A couple abused local police officers who poured water over their barbecue on a beach in Hove, while one woman claimed she was made to feel like “a criminal” when they stopped her after driving five miles to walk her dog on the local beach.
Heath Secretary Matt Hancock has threatened to ban all outdoor exercise if people don’t follow the rules.
He explained: “We’ve said because of the positive benefits to your physical and your mental health that it’s OK to exercise on your own or with members of your own household.
“But if the result of that is that too many people go out and flout the other rules because they say ‘well if I can exercise then it’s fine for me to do other things’ then I’m afraid we will have to take action.
“If you don’t want us to take the step to ban exercise of all forms outside the home, you have got to follow the rules.
“Let’s not have a minority spoiling it for everybody.”
Brockwell Park in London has been forced to close after 3,000 people descended on the green space to sunbathe or relax in large groups.
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Mr Hancock added it was “quite unbelievable” that some were openly ignoring the advice.
“We are crystal clear in the guidance what people should or shouldn’t do,” he stressed.
“This is not a request, it’s a requirement.
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