Police force that fined two women for coffee trip issues £200 fines to three men for meeting at McDonald's when they live more than 100 miles apart from each other

The police force that fined two women over a seven mile trip to a nearby park have now fined three men who live more than 100 miles apart for meeting at a McDonald's.

Observant officers from Derbyshire Police approached the far-travelling trio after spotting them in a Mercedes with a smashed front window and no wiper blades.

But they were left shocked when they discovered the friends lived 120 miles apart from each other - with two from Leicestershire and one from Lancashire.

Police made the stop at McDonald's in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, miles from any of the men's homes.

They also determined that none of the men had a reasonable excuse to travel under the Government's lockdown rules.

Officers fined the friends £200 each and banned the vehicle from the road due to its condition - meaning they had to find another way home.

The stop was carried out on Monday by Derbyshire Police, the same force that came under scrutiny for handing fines to two women who met up for a walk at a park seven miles from their home.

Jessica Allen and Eliza Moore, both 27, were slapped with £200 penalties for travelling the ten minute journey to Foremark Reservoir in Derbyshire last Wednesday.

Observant officers from Derbyshire Police approached the trio after spotting them in a Mercedes with a smashed front window and no wiper blades

Two of the men were from Leicestershire, while the third man was from Lancashire. The trio were stopped in Chesterfield

Jessica Allen and Eliza Moore, both 27, were slapped with £200 penalties for travelling the ten minute journey to Foremark Reservoir in Derbyshire on Wednesday

The pair told how they were approached by several officers before being 'read their rights' and told the cups of tea they were carrying counted as a picnic

The pair told how they were approached by several officers before being 'read their rights' and told the cups of tea they were carrying counted as a picnic.

Derbyshire Police originally defended the decision to fine the women for breaching Covid rules and said driving for exercise was 'not in the spirit' of lockdown.

But Jessica has since revealed they had received separate calls from the force who apologised to them both and informed them their fines will be scrapped.

Beautician Jessica, of Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire, said: 'This afternoon we both received a phone call from Derbyshire Police.

'After reviewing our case, our fines have been rescinded and we have received an apology on behalf of the constabulary for the treatment we received.

'We welcomed this apology and we are pleased to draw a line under this event.'

It comes as officers in Essex launched a crackdown on Pokemon Go players using the popular app outdoors.

The men, all said to be in their 30s, were spotted hunting for the virtual monsters using the walk-as-you-play mobile app - in which Pokemon appear on a player's screen as if they are in the actual real-world location. 

Meanwhile, a local council revealed they are using a drone to pick out potential lockdown rule breakers as they walk along busy Southsea seafront in Hampshire.

Elsewhere, officers in Devon and Cornwall are turning to number plate recognition technology to ensure only essential trips are made.

In Wiltshire, one unlucky rule-breaker was caught out when he slipped and injured himself while out for a walk at a popular beauty spot.

The nationwide crackdown comes as Home Secretary Priti Patel recently defended the actions of police looking to toughen-up their stance on lockdown-rule breakers.  

Today, Britain's most senior police office said it is 'preposterous' that people could be unaware of the need to follow the third national lockdown.

In a stark warning to those thinking of breaching the lockdown, Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick, warned rule-breakers will be fined. 

Meanwhile, Boris Johnson, who on Sunday was pictured exercising seven miles from Downing Street, also warned that tougher lockdown measures may be needed as he stressed 'now is the moment for maximum vigilance'.

Police officers have launched a crackdown on Pokemon Go players playing the popular app outdoors, as other forces and local councils across England turn to tech in a crackdown on lockdown breaching Britons

The men, all said to be in 30s, were spotted hunting for the virtual monsters using the walk-as-you-play mobile app - in which Pokemon appear on a player's screen as if they appeared in the actual real-world location

It comes as a local council took to the sky to launch their own Covid crackdown, using a drone to spy on potential lockdown rule breakers as they walked along a busy seafront

Portsmouth City Council hired the drone to monitor footfall on the seafront and say footage obtained showed 'thousands' of people gathering along the front at the weekend

The warnings come as a police team in Essex admitted they had cracked-down on Pokemon Go users this week.

WHAT IS POKEMON GO? 

Pokemon Go is a mobile augmented reality game developed by Niantic for both Android and iOS devices. 

The game was released on July 6, 2016 and operates on a freemium model which allows it to be played for free, though additional in-game items and services are available for a fee.

Pokemon Go is a mobile augmented reality game developed by Niantic for both Android and iOS devices

Based on the wildly popular Pokemon franchise, the game’s objective is to find, capture and train Pokemon that appear on a player’s screen as if they appeared in the player’s actual real-world location. 

Despite mixed reviews from critics, the game has proven to be hugely popular among gamers, being downloaded more than 750 million times within a year of its release.

The game shows virtual Pokemon as if they were in real-world locations 

The game has proven to be a cultural phenomenon, though not without causing controversy along the way. 

Researchers revealed that the game was responsible for a staggering $7.3 billion (£5.2 billion) in damages from car crashes in the United States alone within just a few months of its release. 

However, other studies have shown the positive effects of the game, believing that it aided people who struggled in social situations by encouraging them to get out and interact with others.

In a now-deleted post on Facebook, the Essex Police Rochford District team said: 'Our team have had cause to speak with a number of different men, aged 30 plus over the last week, who seemed to feel it is acceptable to attend certain public places within the district, to hunt Pokemon.

'Honestly, yes, you did read that correctly.'

A spokesman from Essex Police, said the force had received complaints of people making 'non-essential' journeys in the Rochford area last week.

The force said it had tweeted about the incident 'to remind the public of government guidelines re non-essential travel'.

However the a spokesperson said the post had later been deleted, adding: 'The tweet was issued in good faith but was later deleted to ensure the appropriate level of seriousness when sharing crucial partnership and safety messages about the pandemic.'  

Meanwhile, one local council is now using drones to monitor a popular seafront amid concerns thousands have been flocking and flouting lockdown laws.

So many people have been visiting the waterfront at Southsea, Hants, it is said to make it difficult to adhere to social distancing guidelines.

Portsmouth City Council hired the drone to monitor footfall on the seafront and say footage obtained showed 'thousands' of people gathering along the front at the weekend.

Although most visitors are thought to be staying within their household bubbles, crowding and queuing outside coffee shops and takeaways has caused concern.

The leader of Portsmouth City Council, Liberal Democrat Gerald Vernon-Jackson, today said: 'There is a growing concern about how things are operating on the seafront.

'We hired a drone to get some footage at the weekend, so we can see what the numbers are actually like.

'When I have been out, people have been gathering around in groups at takeaways - so we have to make sure that's not happening, without hindering businesses in the process.'  

Meanwhile, in Devon and Cornwall, police say they are using Automated Number Plate Recognition cameras to crack-down on lockdown breaking Britons.  

The Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Police Shaun Sawyer said ANPR cameras across the region would be used to help enforce Covid-19 regulations.

Alongside the usual static cameras above and beside roads, police say that every officer has been given access to an ANPR app.

The app allows officers to access live information about the vehicles they pass.  

Residents in the area have repeatedly called for action and hit out at out-of-area visitors who have flocked to the counties - famed for their beaches and numerous beauty spots - during all three national lockdowns.  

Commissioner Alison Hernandez told the Falmouth Packet: 'Covid is spreading rapidly across the whole of the UK, not least because this new strain of the virus is far more contagious.

In Devon and Cornwall, police say they are using Automated Number Plate Recognition cameras to crack-down on lockdown breaking Britons.

Commissioner Alison Hernandez told the Falmouth Packet: 'Covid is spreading rapidly across the whole of the UK, not least because this new strain of the virus is far more contagious.'

What is a 'reasonable excuse' for going outside? And can police force their way into your house if they suspect rules are being broken?

Under the rules in England, you must not leave or be outside of your home except where you have a 'reasonable excuse'. This will be put in law. 

The police can take action against you if you leave home without a 'reasonable excuse', and issue you with a fine (Fixed Penalty Notice).

You can be given a Fixed Penalty Notice of £200 for the first offence, doubling for further offences up to a maximum of £6,400.

A 'reasonable excuse' includes: 

There are further reasonable excuses. 

For example, you may leave home to fulfil legal obligations or to carry out activities related to buying, selling, letting or renting a residential property, or where it is reasonably necessary for voting in an election or referendum.

In Scotland, coronavirus legislation gives police the power to force entry into people's homes if they have a 'reasonable suspicion' rules are being broken. 

However, in England, they can only enter in 'exceptional circumstances', which includes if they believe someone inside is infectious. 

Otherwise, they will require a warrant. 

'We need to be doing everything we possibly can to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

'The people of Devon and Cornwall have done a great job so far which is reflected in our case rates which are among the very lowest in the whole country.'  

Meanwhile, in Wiltshire, a man was given a Covid fine when he injured himself while out for a walk.

He stumbled and slipped over while out with his family on Salisbury Plain and a 999 call brought ambulances and police rushing to the scene. 

He was given first-aid for his injuries - and was then handed a fixed penalty notice for breaking Covid travel rules.

Had he not been hurt, the authorities would probably have never known about the family outing. 

Much of the remote area is a training ground for the military. The man fell while visiting Erlestoke Woods, south of Devizes, on the Salisbury Plain Training Area.

Ministry of Defence police said that 'already stretched resources were tied up for 90 minutes' treating the man.

Today Britain's most senior police officer said it is 'preposterous' that people could be unaware of the need to follow the third national lockdown and warned that rule-breakers will be fined.

Met Police chief Dame Cressida Dick said people are still holding house parties, meeting in basements to gamble, and attending unlicensed raves despite rising numbers of coronavirus cases and deaths.

She warned that anyone caught breaking the rules or failing to comply would result in officers 'moving much more quickly to enforcement action'.

It comes amid increasing calls for tougher shutdown restrictions, with No10 even considering imposing Chinese-style curfews, outdoor mask mandates and three metre social distancing.

Writing in the Times today, Dame Cressida said: 'It is preposterous to me that anyone could be unaware of our duty to do all we can to stop the spread of the virus. We have been clear that those who breach Covid-19 legislation are increasingly likely to face fines.

'We will still be engaging, explaining and encouraging but those who break the rules or refuse to comply where they should without good reason will find officers moving much more quickly to enforcement action.'

The Met Police chief also called on the Government to ensure that police officers are prioritised for the Covid jab as the vaccine is rolled out.

Though Scotland Yard has not abandoned the '4Es' approach to Covid of engaging, explaining and encouraging the public to keep to the rules, officers will be quicker to fine rule-breakers, Dame Cressida said.

Officers are stopping people on the street and asking them where they are going and why they have left their home.

But police forces across the country have been accused of officiousness, with Derbyshire Constabulary forced to cancelling £200 fines handed to two women who drove several miles to go on a country walk.

Yesterday, Mr Johnson warned that tougher lockdown measures may be needed as he stressed 'now is the moment for maximum vigilance'.

During a visit to a vaccine centre in Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol, the PM said: 'We're going to keep the rules under constant review. Where we have to tighten them, we will.

'We have rules in place already which, if they are properly followed, we believe can make a huge, huge difference.

'It's now that people need to focus... when they're out shopping, whether they're buying cups of coffee in the park or whatever it happens to be, they need to think about spreading the disease.'

Mr Johnson said that 'more important than us just pushing out new rules', people should follow existing guidance.

'Of course, if we feel that things are not being properly observed then we may have to do more,' he added. 

Met Police chief Dame Cressida Dick said it is 'preposterous' people could be unaware of the need to follow the third national lockdown and warned that rule-breakers will be fined

Britain has recorded a further 529 Covid deaths - marking a 30 per cent rise on the 407 reported on this day last week. It is also the deadliest Monday since April 20 when 570 died

The PM has come under pressure to increase the social distancing gap to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Leading members of the Sage scientific advisory panel want the measure raised from 'one metre plus' to 'two metres plus'.

Does lockdown really need to get tougher? Covid cases may have FINALLY started to level off because of third blanket shutdown 

Coronavirus cases in Britain could be starting to level off because of the national lockdown, official data suggests as warnings grow that rules may have to get tougher.

The Department of Health announced another 46,169 positive coronavirus tests, the lowest figure since December 28.

The average number of cases, counted by the date on which the swab was taken, has now fallen for two days in a row, to 57,851 from a peak of 59,660 on Saturday.

Government officials warned that lockdown rules may have to get stricter if people don't follow them, amid fears that too many are 'flexing' the restrictions.

But there are signs lockdown is beginning to bring down the rate of infection.

Tier 4, however, did not appear to have the desired effect in London, the South East and East of England, where cases continued to rise in most areas despite the tough crackdown for two weeks over Christmas.

Only 11 out of 315 boroughs in England saw their infection rates come down in the first week of this year, up to January 5, Public Health England data shows – just 3.5 per cent.

An even stricter national lockdown, with everyone urged to work from home unless they can't, and schools across the country closed to most students, has taken the local restrictions' place and could be enforced for another six weeks or more.    

In practice this would change the limit to three metres – nearly 10ft. The drastic proposal came as a furious Matt Hancock denounced individuals who flout social distancing rules.

Speaking at a Downing Street press conference the Health Secretary said that he would 'not rule out further action if needed.'

He was backed by Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty, who sits on Sage and said it was time to 'double down' on Covid curbs – including outdoor contact.

Asked if a three-metre rule would be imposed in England, a Downing Street spokesman said last night: 'There are no current plans to change social distancing rules. However, everything is kept under review.'

The Mail has been told that several members of Sage say the lockdown needs to be even tougher than the first one in March last year.

The idea of a Chinese-style ban on residents leaving their homes was raised at one meeting.

Ministers are furious that some people have been using their right to daily exercise simply as an excuse to meet friends for a coffee in the park.

One source said: 'If it means limiting people to a single one-hour walk on their own once a week that is what we must do. We cannot let a few selfish idiots put the whole country in danger.'

It is feared that the failure to observe the restrictions is fuelling the number of deaths and risks hospitals becoming overwhelmed.

Increasing the social distancing rule to three metres is seen as one way of stopping the spread of the new variant of the virus, which can be passed on more easily.  

Opponents of the move say it would have little impact, cause more confusion and be a logistical nightmare.

Two-metre signs have been painted on pavements across the nation, with similar notices found in tens of thousands of shops, factories, offices and public places.

Changing them all would add to the soaring cost of fighting the pandemic.

Supporters claim the benefit in saving lives and protecting the NHS means the move is worth it. They argue it is a response to the new variant which is thought to be up to be 70 per cent more transmissible. 

If it goes ahead it would be the Government's third policy on social distancing.

The distance was set at two metres in March after experts said coronavirus was up to ten times more transmissible at one metre than at two.

But it was reduced to 'one metre plus' in July after the first lockdown – mainly to make it easier for restaurants and cafes to reopen.

A 'two metre plus' rule would in practice mean staying three metres apart – nearly 10ft – unless steps were taken to limit the danger of transmission, such as screens.