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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Marcus Hughes

Three men caught camping on side of Welsh mountain as campervan travels over 200 miles to get into Wales during lockdown

Police officers said there were speechless after finding three men camping on a Welsh mountain during lockdown.

North Wales Police found a tent on the side of Moel Famau in the Clwydian Range on Sunday morning.

Police say three men aged between 18 and 25 were reported for breaching Covid-19 restrictions.

Police forces in Wales have been attempting to reinforce the message that people should stay away from tourist destinations over the bank holiday weekend.

First Minister Mark Drakeford has been reiterating his message that the stay at home rules remain in force in Wales, with only a few restrictions eased.

On Friday, he also reminded people in Wales that new, tougher fines are now in place for those who break the rules repeatedly.

An officer for north Wales' rural crime team shared an image of the tent on Twitter.

He said: "I don't really know what to say... 3 males reported for Covid offences."

North Wales Police said they also found a camper van in Coed y Brenin near Dolgellau on Saturday, which had travelled more than 200 miles from London.

Three men, each with a different address, were also stopped by officers after travelling over 100 miles from Manchester to Anglesey on Friday.

Later that same day, police sent two men back home after they travelled more than 125 miles from Stoke-on-Trent to Newborough Beach.

Police have been trying to discourage people from travelling into Wales during lockdown (WalesOnline/ Rob Browne)

WalesOnline spent time with Gwent Police ahead of the bank holiday weekend as they patrolled areas near the border with England.

Inspector Stefan Williams said he believes many people are adapting their own set of rules from the differing guidance given by the Welsh and UK governments.

"People are more and more, with what's coming out in terms of mixed messages on both sides, meshing things together giving themselves a reason to go out," he said.

"That's not strictly complying to what the Welsh Government are saying.

"It's difficult when we're operating on different rules when we are right on the border with England as well.

"Unless we stop people to find out what's going on right on the borders then we don't know."

He added: "When the time is right, please come back and enjoy the countryside here.

"But for the time being just stay out for now."

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