Police have handed out 14 fines to people “travelling without necessity” in Swansea over the weekend.
South Wales Police’s joint enforcement team issued the fixed penalty notices and warnings to people in Mumbles.
Wales has been under alert level four since December 20, with current restrictions only allowing essential travel. This would include travelling to buy food, to go to work or education, if you can’t work from home, or to provide care for a vulnerable person.
A statement shared on the force’s Twitter account read: “This weekend the joint enforcement team attended the Mumbles and Bracelet Bay areas and issued 14 fixed penalty notices/warning to those travelling without necessity.
“Please only travel if necessary. Stay Home. Stay Safe.”
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The latest action comes after two people from Bristol were fined by police for travelling to Three Cliffs Bay, in Gower, “for a holiday”.
South Wales Police has been carrying out vehicle stop-checks across the city following the most recent lockdown measures.
Officers have been spotted stopping motorists on the busy Fabian Way, as well as more recently in Mumbles Road near Blackpill. They have also been seen talking to drivers parked at Fendrod Lake in Llansamlet.
(Image: Wales Online)
The force explained that it would continue to “utilise additional powers” to conduct random vehicle checks following the Welsh Government’s move to place the country under alert level four restrictions.
A statement read: “In order to support the national effort to help slow the spread of the virus, and assist in enforcing the restrictions, our officers have been given authority to stop any vehicle travelling within the force area.
“Checks will be conducted to ascertain the reason for travel.
“Our officers will continue to adopt the national four Es approach – engaging with the public, explaining the restrictions and encouraging voluntary compliance.
“However, those believed to be in blatant breach of the rules can expect to be subject to enforcement action.
“The power was initially brought in from 7am on Tuesday, December 22, until Monday, January 4, and has now been extended to 9am on Monday, January 11.”
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The current alert level four restrictions are due to be reviewed on Thursday.
However, First Minister Mark Drakeford has warned that there is very little room for changes, meaning lockdown could be extended until the end of the month.
-- to www.walesonline.co.uk
