'No need to call us' - police in East Lothian tell locals to stop reporting lockdown breaches

Police are patrolling beaches and parks up to six times a day.

Police in East Lothian have urged locals to stop reporting breaches of lockdown restrictions.

Officers are already dealing with rule-breakers, Chief Inspector Neil Mitchell said, and are patrolling beaches and parks up to six times a day.

Some cars have been given parking tickets and people have been ordered to go home.

Officers have been patrolling beaches up to six times a day.

People have been travelling to visit local parks and beaches in the recent sunny weather from outside the local area, and police appealed for this to stop.

There will be extra officers on the ground this weekend and next week as the sunshine continues, including police on foot, on bikes, on quad bikes, on motorbikes and mounted police.

The force will also work with parking wardens, park rangers, environmental health officers, community wardens and East Lothian Council to enforce the restrictions.

Chief Inspector Mitchell said: “I wanted to take this opportunity to ask everyone to stay at home and only visit your local parks and beaches if they are within walking distance from your home. My officers do not want to stop local people enjoying the outdoors but at this time we must ensure that the guidelines are followed.

“We are aware that people have been travelling from further afield and from outside East Lothian, I am asking that this stops. We are working closely with ELC and partners to prevent people breaching the rules and I would like to thank everyone for assisting with this.”

He said that locals do not need to report suspicions of others breaking the restrictions.

“We are patrolling the beaches and parks, visiting them sometimes five or six times a day, engaging with visitors and checking car parks and approach roads. Some cars have been given parking tickets and some people have been asked to leave the areas and this is right.

“You do not need to phone us to report these as we are dealing with them throughout the day.

“If you are out, expect to meet my officers or other officials who may ask you some questions. Please engage with them and take direction if required, although we can issue fixed penalty ticket we do not want to do this.”