Police step up patrols of Kinver Edge as motorists urged to avoid beauty spot

Drivers have been urged to stay away and follow Government advice about exercising close to home.

It is not clear whether the visitors are local - but guidance says people should only exercise in their local area.

Police have been given powers to fine people £60 for ignoring lock down restrictions.

People are only allowed to leave home for a few reasons including having one piece of exercise per day.

An Express & Star reader contacted this newspaper highlighting concerns about people still gathering at Kinver Edge.

The reader, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "I see with great distress that the message of 'stay at home' does not deter people from jumping in their cars and heading to our village for a nice walk in the sun.

"There are elderly people in the village sheltering in their homes - fearful of so much as breathing the air outside their front door.

"For them this is the ultimate game of tag and the prize for being tagged can be fatal."

In response the Express & Star's story, sergeant Steve Lloyd-Warren, from South Staffordshire Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Kinver Edge is one of the number of outdoor areas on South Staffordshire Neighbourhood Policing Team’s patrol strategy and is being checked by officers.

“We’re asking people not to visit areas such as Kinver Edge and to stay close to home to exercise, as per the Government’s guidelines on social distancing.”

Jackie Smith, corporate commercial director at South Staffordshire Council, added: “We should all be taking social distancing measures seriously in order to stop the spread of coronavirus.

"The single most important action we can all do is to stay at home in order to protect the NHS and save lives."