Devon & Cornwall Police gave out 172 fixed penalty notices during the lockdown for breaches of Covid legislation.

Officers with the force recorded more than 2,000 engagements with the public relating to Covid-19 during the period of National Tier 4 restrictions from November 5 to December 1.

There were also 1,230 Covid related calls to the police during that same time period, with 563 of these calls to reports of illegal gatherings.

Of the fines issued, 95 related to indoor gatherings in breach of restrictions.

Devon and Cornwall Police Force now sees its patch split into both Tier 1 and Tier 2 restrictions – and Assistant Chief Constable Glen Mayhew says this does not mean “no one can come to Cornwall from a higher tier area”

The plea from the police and partner agencies is that people continue to play their part in keeping themselves and others safe.

ACC Mayhew says the approach of police will continue to focus on the “four Es - encouragement, education and engagement with enforcement as a final option”.

“Of the 2,000 engagements recorded outside of enforcement, 57% of those were proactively generated by officers and PCSOs – ensuring there is a conversation with communities as opposed to immediately issuing enforcement.

“While we have issued a number of Fixed Penalty Notices when reasonable and proportionate, in most cases the advice, guidance and encouragement given to the public has been enough to ensure the safety of all.”

Dedicated Covid cars will be on patrol throughout the force area through December.

Assistant Chief Constable Mayhew added: “While policing across two tiers is a challenge, our approach does not change.

“We do not want people to fear the tiers, it is a case of everyone having a responsibility to understand the changes to legislation and the role they personally play in preventing spread of Covid-19.

“The new legislation is clear that anyone from a Tier 2 area coming to a Tier 1 area such as Cornwall must abide by those restrictions of the higher tier.

“With people’s compliance we are likely to see restrictions reduced more quickly and a safe return to normality for all of us.”