Nottingham Railway Station was fairly quiet the morning after stricter Tier 4 restrictions came into force across a third of the country.
No visible patrols from the British Transport Police (BTP) could be seen at the station on Sunday (December 20) morning after the health secretary, Matt Hancock, and transport secretary Grant Shapps vowed officers would help prevent people making unnecessary journeys.
In a statement on December 20, Grant Shapps said "extra British Transport Police officers are being deployed" to ensure people who need to travel can do so safely.
His comments come as areas of the south-east, including London, were plunged into Tier 4, meaning Christmas bubbles are prohibited and people must stay at home as they did during lockdown in November.
Fears were also raised by people in Nottingham about vast numbers of people fleeing Tier 4 areas via London St Pancras, many services from which travel into the city and wider East Midlands.
Videos on Twitter on Saturday night showed large crowds St Pancras International waiting to board trains, prompting a response from the Government.
On Sunday morning the station was relatively quiet and similar to a normal weekend amid the pandemic.
Small clusters of travellers with bags were arriving steadily.
As of midnight last night, however, the new Tier 4 rules came into force, meaning travel is now officially prohibited unlike in Saturday evening when the crowds were reported.
Christmas Transport Tsar, Sir Peter Hendy: "The message is clear – to combat this virus, you must follow the guidance and stay at home.
“At stations we will be deploying extra staff, announcements will make the law clear, and additional BTP officers are in place to ensure that only essential journeys take place.
“People considering driving should also stay at home or stay local. The new restrictions mean that people should not travel into or out of Tier 4 areas, and across the country you should stay local.
"You should play your part in tackling the spread of this virus.”
Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr show on December 20, health secretary Matt Hancock also said police would be upholding the new rules.
The British Transport Police added: "Our officers will continue to be highly-visible, patrolling services and stations on the rail network throughout the festive season.
"Please protect yourselves, and each other, by following the guidance and restrictions set out by the Government."
