Police issue 24 fines to people flouting social distancing rules in South Yorkshire during Easter weekend

Police have said that most of the fines issued between Good Friday and Easter Sunday were handed out to people who were travelling for non-essential reasons.

On Saturday (11 April), two men were fined after being stopped while driving from Sheffield to Nottingham to pick up a friend.

Two other men were fined after being caught speeding as they travelled in to Doncaster from Durham, also on their way to see friends.

This comes as officers spent Easter on duty, conducting targeted patrols and responding to any reports of suspected Covid-19 restriction breaches.

Police say that ‘the majority’ of these encounters involved advising people on their behaviour, and “reminding them that their actions have a direct impact on saving lives”.

Superintendent Paul McCurry said: “This bank holiday has been a very different bank holiday. Normally we spend Easter with our family and friends.

“It certainly has been difficult and different for all of our officers and staff who continue to come to work.

“I want to say a big thank you to all those people who stayed at home this weekend. We are all starting to know people who are suffering due to Covid-19 and by staying at home you are helping to save the lives of your family and friends.”