A Kent couple caught sleeping in the car on a “mini break” to Cornwall have been slapped with a penalty notice and had their car seized.
A police officer caught the couple flouting lockdown restrictions on a patrol – and they were found to be driving without insurance and a driving licence.
The car was seized by Devon and Cornwall Police and the tourists were issued with two fixed penalty notices, reports Cornwall Live.
Police were given powers at the end of March to issue fines to those caught flouting stay-at-home rules.
People can end up in court if the fines are unpaid.
The measures were put in place to limit the spread of coronavirus and make sure people only take essential journeys.
The probation PC, who tweets as The Hungry Copper, took to Twitter to share the incident.
The tweet read: “Found 2 people sleeping in a car in #Falmouth Checked their details & both live in #Kent & had driven down for a mini break.
"But driver had No Insurance & No Driving Licence! Car seized & 2 #FixedPenaltyNotices issued for Breaching the #Covid_19 #lockdown #restrictions #StayHome”
People have been quick to praise the officer online.
One user said: “Absolutely remarkable! Selfishness at its worst and policing at its best. Keep up the good work.”
Another said: “Well done for finding these irresponsible idiots. Hope they enjoyed the long walk home.”
Others questioned how the couple would be able to make it home without a car, though if they had no licence it would be illegal for them to drive home.
Another added: “Great these people should be stopped! A mini break are they for real? What happens to them now though? Where do they stay?”
This is the latest in a string of incidents, which have seen Brits flout lockdown restrictions.
Over the Easter weekend more than 160 people were fined – which includes one person who drove hundreds of miles to collect an eBay purchase.
Others were fined for going on fishing trips or travelling to the region to get away from family.
Devon and Cornwall Police have carried out a total of 4,000 visits to beauty spots and businesses across the two counties.
Officers have spoken to more than 5,500 people during targeted patrols, with 960 people given verbal warnings after they failed to follow the guidance.
A total of 169 fines have been issued and a quarter of these were given to people living outside Devon and Cornwall.
Of the 169 fines handed out, a quarter were given to people living outside Devon and Cornwall.
Assistant Chief Constable Glen Mayhew said the majority of those were drivers.
