A group of 11 hikers who drove more than 150 miles from London to the Peak District have been fined for breaching coronavirus rules after one of them crashed their car.
The men had travelled from Harrow, North London in three vehicles on Monday, ahead of Boris Johnson announcing a third nationwide lockdown for England which came into force today.
They were caught flouting Covid-19 laws by police near Bamford, Derbyshire after one driver flipped his car on the A6013 following a day in the countryside.
The men, who were embarking on the three-hour journey home, were each handed £200 penalties for travelling between Tier Four areas.
Derbyshire Police also seized one of the three vehicles due to it being uninsured and sent its owner home on a train.
At the time, London was under England’s highest Tier Four restrictions which had banned people from embarking on non-essential travel out of the city.
A group of 11 hikers who drove more than 150 miles from London to the Peak District have been fined for breaching coronavirus rules after one of them crashed their car. Pictured: The car
Exercise outdoors had been permitted under the rules, but this was to be done alone, within a household or with one other person – if social distancing was maintained.
Derbyshire had entered Tier Four on New Year’s Eve due to rising infection levels.
Sharing photos of the crashed car, Buxton Police wrote: ‘Last night a group of 11 came up from Harrow in three cars.
‘One crashed. One car seized due to driver not being insured and was sent home on the train. All 11 will now be getting a fixed penalty notice of £200.’
The driver of the car which ended up on its roof was treated by paramedics at the scene for minor injuries.
Angry locals took to social media following the news, with many saying the area had been heaving with tourists travelling from across the country.
The men had travelled from Harrow, North London in three vehicles on Monday, ahead of Boris Johnson announcing a third nationwide lockdown for England which came into force today
It comes after crowds descended on the Brecon Beacons on Saturday (pictured) despite Welsh police and park authorities urging people to stick to stringent lockdown rules
Jenny Fletcher said: ‘My partner is the manager at a petrol station just outside Buxton. Got people from all over the country coming in everyday.
‘Said today was really busy. Since when is a can of pop an essential item!! Stay at home!!’
Kathryn Donnelly added: ‘Selfish behaviour. Stiffer penalties required. £200 isn’t painful enough.’
Aaron Banks said: ‘You would not think we in the grip of a pandemic, our area has been busier than ever.
‘I don’t get the moronic attitude of people just ignoring a killer virus. What is wrong with people?’
It comes after crowds descended on the Brecon Beacons on Saturday despite Welsh police and park authorities urging people to stick to stringent lockdown rules.
Crowds descended on the Brecon Beacons on Saturday despite Welsh police and rangers urging people to stick to stringent lockdown rules
Police officers have also slammed ‘selfish’ Tier 4 tourists who traveled up to 270 miles to climb Snowdon in Wales – in breach of lockdown rules. Pictured: Officers in Snowdonia
Hikers and families with sledges defied pleas from officials and headed to the snow-blanketed Storey Arms beauty spot, wrapping up for the crisp wintry weather.
Brecon Beacons authorities had expressly told people to follow ‘stay at home’ orders and not come to the site.
‘Wales is in lockdown with only essential travel permitted, therefore people are unable to drive to visit any of the Welsh National Parks,’ the instruction said.
But they acknowledged ‘it is clear’ people have been flouting the rules and ‘putting themselves and the Park’s fragile rural communities at greater risk’.
North Wales Police blasted New Year’s Day walkers (the force’s tweet, pictured) who flocked to snow-covered Snowdonia National Park to scale Wales’ biggest mountain
Hikers had traveled from as far away as Kent, Southampton and Solihull, the force revealed on Twitter, all of which were under Tier Four restrictions at the time. Pictured: Snowdonia on New Year’s Day
Police had previously threatened rule-breakers with hefty fines after it emerged that English residents were crossing into Wales and make use of the sprawling hills.
Similar scenes were spotted in Snowdon on New Year’s Day, where North Wales Police noted walkers had journeyed up to 270 miles to scale Wales’ biggest mountain.
Hikers had traveled from as far away as Kent, Southampton and Solihull, the force revealed on Twitter, all of which were under Tier Four restrictions at the time.