Yahoo News Coronavirus: Family of 11 in three cars stopped by Welsh police after 'unbelievable' 120-mile trip
A family of 11 people were stopped by police after making a 120-mile journey in three cars during the coronavirus lockdown.
Officers intercepted the family on Sunday after they made the two-and-a-half hour trip from Manchester in England to Anglesey in Wales.
The group had spent the day at the South Stack coastal beauty spot. Police described their actions as “unbelievable”.
Unbelievable....
11 people from Manchester travelling in 3 different cars thought it would be a good idea to have a day trip to South Stack.
One family but from different households.
Each person prosecuted under Covid legislation@NWPSpecials #StayHomeSaveLives pic.twitter.com/LBVMDrQpw3— SCO Mark Owen (@NWPSpecialCO) May 17, 2020
Mark Owen, chief officer for the North Wales Police Special Constabulary, tweeted: “Unbelievable… 11 people from Manchester travelling in three different cars thought it would be a good idea to have a day trip to South Stack.”
He said the group were part of one family but from different households and that each person was prosecuted under COVID-19 legislation.
In a separate tweet, North Wales Police said four men had been reported for breaching lockdown regulations after three vehicles containing nine men were stopped after concerns were raised by residents in the town of Bala.
All of the men were sent back to the Manchester area.
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On Saturday, police in Wales stopped 26 people in the Barmouth area who were in breach of lockdown, including day trippers from England.
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Last week, lockdown restrictions in England were relaxed by Boris Johnson to allow people to “drive to other destinations”.
However, lockdown guidelines in Wales are still operating under the stricter “stay at home” message.
In Wales, people are banned from driving to areas outside their home location for exercise. Only essential car journeys are permitted.
Last week, fines for breaking coronavirus restrictions increased from £60 to £100.
Fines double for each repeat offence up to a maximum of £3,200, the Home Office said.
North Wales Police temporary assistant chief constable Nigel Harrison said: “Our tourist attractions, parts of the national park, pubs, restaurants, cafes, caravan, holiday parks and campsites all remain closed.
“Travelling into Wales for exercise or without a reasonable excuse is not permitted, and the sooner we can slow the spread of the virus the sooner we can welcome people back here.”
