Northamptonshire's police hand out 349 fines during the Covid-19 lockdown...with promise of more to come

Police are warning Northamptonshire's public they will continue to enforce the Government's lockdown laws despite Boris Johnson easing restrictions on movement during the Covid-19 crisis.

The county's officers have issued a total of 349 for flouting the lockdown laws since they were imposed on March 23.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced new guidelines on what people can and cannot do in his Sunday night address to the nation.

But he also increased minimum fines from £60 to £100 while repeat offenders can now be hit with penalties of up to a whopping £3,200 for flouting the guidelines.

And Superintended Elliot Foskett warned: “There will always be a very small minority who seek to purposefully break the rules and put other people in danger as a result.

"Make no mistake we have and will continue to issue these individuals with fines.

“We are very lucky in Northamptonshire to have a public who in the main, want to work with us, and realise how important social distancing is.

“Respect of course, is earned, and I’m really pleased that the good relationship we have cultivated with Northamptonshire’s public over the years is helping us police this crisis effectively.

“Our approach will always be to engage with and educate our communities first, with enforcement and fines given as a last resort.“Thank you for your support over the past seven weeks – the majority of you have been fantastic in staying inside and following the rules and we know you’ll continue to support us and your NHS as we settle into this next phase of the lockdown.”

People are now allowed to spend more time outdoors, go to parks and beaches to sunbathe, have a picnic and go fishing.

Outdoor sports courts can reopen as well as the county's golf courses.

People will also be able to see one person from another household, as long as they follow social distancing guidance.