Four people have today, Saturday, been issued Fixed Penalty Notices in the Sleaford area.

The three men and one woman from the Boston area were this morning spotted by a local Sleaford officer in between Cranwell and Sleaford on the A17.  They had travelled to the area to “find a big field to celebrate a birthday” and had enough food with them for a much bigger gathering. 

Inspector Rachel Blackwell said: “Despite repeated and serious reminders not to leave the house during the coronavirus lockdown, some people are still ignoring the rules and are leaving their homes for non-essential reasons.

“The nice weather across Lincolnshire this Easter Bank Holiday weekend undoubtedly tempts people to leave the house, but the rules are clear. Please Stay home. Protect the NHS. Save lives. “The public should only go outside for one-form of daily exercise, to shop for essentials, go to work (only if you cannot work from home) or to care for a vulnerable person.

“It is also important to get across that if you are going out to shop for essential items – you should send only one adult from the household, and not try to shop as a couple – as stores will and should turn you away.”

The total of FPNs issued in Lincolnshire is 20.

In Lincolnshire our officers have been ensuring we help keep people safe from the effects of COVID-19 by engaging with people, explaining the national guidance, and encouraging them to act appropriately. But a small number of people have not behaved in line with the advice and have been issued with hefty Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs).

Largely, people in the county have been following the central advice to stay at home, to only make essential journeys, and to keep 2m from people if trips are unavoidable.

Our beaches have been deserted even in the recent sunny weather, our city streets have been eerily quiet, and our usually bustling market towns have been desolate. For that we are grateful.

But some people have decided not to listen to the advice and have subsequently found themselves issued with a hefty on-the-spot fine.