CORONAVIRUS: Boston police in warning of more people breaching guidelines as 36 penalty notices issued in district

They have issued a warning reminding residents to please follow the national guidance and stay at home unless absolutely essential.

A statement said that in the past couple of days officers have noticed an increase in the volume of people visiting Boston, Spalding and surrounding areas, and that they are monitoring the traffic flow, and will put additional patrols into hotspot areas.

The statement comes as it has been revealed that Boston police have now issued a total of 36 fixed penalty notices.

Chief inspector James Trafford said: “The majority of people are following the guidelines and staying at home. However, there is a small minority who are still out and about. Please, before you leave home ask yourself if it is absolutely essential to go out. Please exercise in your local area and do not drive unless it is essential.

“We follow a four stage process; engage, explain, encourage, enforce in which enforcement is a last resort. Officers are enforcing and will be increasingly enforcing by issuing Fixed Penalty Notices to those not following the guidance.”

He said in Lincolnshire officers have been ensuring they help keep people safe from the effects of COVID-19 by engaging with people, explaining the national guidance, and encouraging them to act appropriately, but a small number of people have not behaved in line with the advice and have been issued with Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs).

"Largely, people in the county have been following the central advice to stay at home, to only make essential journeys, and to keep 2 metres from people if trips are unavoidable.

"We would like to thank the vast majority of the public who have kept to the rules, and even in the recent sunny weather our beaches have been deserted, our streets have been eerily quiet, and our usually bustling market towns have been empty. For that we are grateful.Some people have decided not to listen to the advice and we have issued 36 Fixed Penalty Notices.

"You should only leave the house for very limited purposes: shopping for basic necessities, one form of exercise a day, medical need, or to travel to work, but only where you cannot work from home."