Coronavirus: Tourists fined for Easter weekend travel

Police forces across the south have praised the public for obeying social distancing rules and staying at home over the Easter weekend.

The Government rules on social distancing were largely followed by a majority of people.

However, tourists visiting Sussex over the bank holiday weekend ignored advice and took non-essential journeys.

Sussex Police issued more than 100 fines across the county and more than 50 fixed penalty notices (FPNs) to day-trippers in Brighton.

All of the fines given in Brighton on Easter Sunday, were to people visiting from other cities.

The majority of local residents stayed at home, away from the beaches.

Meanwhile, police issued a fine to a couple from St Albans in Hertfordshire, after they made a 150-mile round trip for a walk on the beach.

It comes as the Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab urged people to follow social distancing measures, saying it was crucial that "we do not take our eye off the ball".

Sussex Police Chief Constable Giles York said he was "thankful for the amazing community spirit" of residents who were "doing the right thing" by social distancing.

He said: "Unfortunately, a small number of people from outside of the county deemed it appropriate to visit the area."

Elsewhere in the south, the beach and seafront funfair at Hayling Island in Hampshire was empty.

The coast at Southsea was also quiet and people who were out for a walk, kept a safe distance.

One resident said: "It's very important that everyone is staying away, I have never seen Southsea so quiet on such a glorious day."

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