Couple hit with fine for driving 120 miles to look at seals during lockdown

The seal hotspot is a popular destination for wildlife watchers. Credit: PA Images

A man and woman who drove more than 120 miles to look at a seal colony during lockdown have been fined by police.

The couple travelled by car from their home in Wellingborough in Northamptonshire to Horsey in Norfolk on Thursday, January 7 Norfolk Police said.

Local officers carrying out patrols at around 4pm approached the couple in the beach car park after vehicle checks revealed that the car was registered to an address outside of the county.

The man and woman, both aged in their 50s, admitted they had travelled to see the seals and both were issued with a fixed penalty notice, the force said.

Police did not say how much they were fined.

In 2019, 2,316 seal pups were born at the coastal spot and it is popular with wildlife watchers.

Temporary assistant chief constable Julie Wvendth said: 

"We are almost a year into this pandemic; people know the rules and the risks associated with breaking them, so people do not have any excuse for not knowing what is expected."


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