COVIDIOTS! Northampton family take a day-trip to Wales despite coronavirus lockdown

Police stop vehicle four hours from home .. and they're NOT the first from Northamptonshire they've caught
One Northampton family celebrated VE Day with a 450-mile round trip to West WalesOne Northampton family celebrated VE Day with a 450-mile round trip to West Wales
One Northampton family celebrated VE Day with a 450-mile round trip to West Wales

Stunned police hit a Northampton family with a VE Day lockdown fine after catching them on a day out in WALES!

Their vehicle was caught in a checkpoint set up in Pembrokeshire, a whopping four hours and 225 miles from home and slapped with a ticket before you could say Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch.

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Local officers said: "They were stopped twice and said they were on a family day out from Northampton. They obviously had no care for the rules."

Dyfed-Powys Police were out in force after revelations earlier this week that half the fines issued in West Wales for Covid-19 restrictions were to offenders from outside the area

And, remarkably, the latest family caught at the A40 Pont Lesneven-Penblewin roundabout are NOT the first from Northamptonshire.

Other tickets issued have been to people driving to the Dyfed-Powys region from Kettering to go camping.

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More excuses for trips to South Wales have been people from London, Luton, Bristol and beyond to buy or look at dogs, with one Manchester man telling officers his potential pet ‘wouldn’t be a puppy any more’ if he waited until lockdown was over.

Welsh police intercepted the family on the A40 in Pembrokeshire. Photo: Dyfed-Powys PoliceWelsh police intercepted the family on the A40 in Pembrokeshire. Photo: Dyfed-Powys Police
Welsh police intercepted the family on the A40 in Pembrokeshire. Photo: Dyfed-Powys Police

Two men were stopped after driving from Derby to pick up a remote controlled car. And a couple were left distinctly deflated after officers told them a 100-mile round trip to Pembrokeshire to collect a bouncy castle they had purchased on Facebook was not considered essential travel.

Inspector Andy Williams said: “We have been working hard as a force to engage with our communities, educate drivers and encourage people to do their bit by staying home and saving lives..

“But unfortunately we have continued to see some individuals flouting the rules by travelling to second homes and other holiday accommodation, driving hundreds of miles under the guise of seeking exercise, and in some cases attempting to take advantage of quieter roads to commit crime.”

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“It is vital that, for as long as the restrictions remain in place, everyone takes responsibility for their actions and ensures they are only travelling when absolutely necessary.

“Our continued aim is to support public health by keeping our key worker colleagues, and the general public, safe.”