Police have warned there is "no room for complacency" over Covid-19 restrictions after officers issued almost 300 fines in the ten days since Easter.

Assistant Chief Constable Glen Mayhew said in the days between Good Friday (April 10) and April 20 a total of 296 fines had been issued in Cornwall and Devon in what he described as "a last resort" to people breaking the government restrictions on social distancing.

The vast majority of these, he said, were issued to those undertaking non-essential journeys and warned that all must play their part.

ACC Mayhew said: “By now, everyone should know what their responsibility is in the battle against coronavirus; 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.

“There is no room for complacency and we must all keep adhering to the government advice. 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."

He said there had been "much discussion" around the legislation and what it did and did not prohibit specifically.

“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," he added.

ACC Mayhew stressed it was a "very small percentage" of people that officers spoke to during police stops that resulted in enforcement.

“The feedback from the vast majority of our communities is that we are currently striking the right balance between engagement and enforcement, and we will continue to strive to deliver a proportionate approach to the legislation," he said.

“Please keep to doing your bit by staying at home and avoiding unnecessary travel; you are protecting the NHS and saving lives.”