Angler fined after travelling 100 miles for fishing trip during lockdown
Police have hit out at an angler who travelled more than 100 miles for a fishing trip defying the coronavirus lockdown.
Officers fined the person from Wolverhampton alongside others spotted fishing at a lake in Cambridgeshire.
The journey came despite strict guidelines from the Government demanding people only venture out close to their homes for an hour's daily
The angler had travelled around 110 miles to the lake at the disused Mepal Outdoor Centre in the east of the county on Saturday.
A East Cambridge Police spokesman said: "As per the Government guidance and also DEFRA, people should not be leaving their houses in order to go fishing recreationally."
It came as a family from Telford travelled more than 80 miles for a day at the beach.
Officers said the family-of-five had taken the day trip in the car to Aberdovey, on the west coast of Wales for a beach picnic.
A spokesperson for North Wales Police Gwynedd South said: "We received reports of a vehicle parked near Aberdovey beach so one of the local PCSOs attended to find a family of five had travelled from Telford to have a picnic.
"They will be reported for going against government guidelines (non-essential travel) and were sent home.
"The beaches will still be here once all of this is over, and there will be a warm welcome to you all."
Telford & Wrekin Council joined the police in urging people to stick to the rules and remain at home despite the sunny weather.
A spokesman said: "Picnics are not a form of exercise and under no circumstances should anyone be driving a distance like this for any exercise at the moment.
"The majority of people are following the guidance and we are really proud of those who are.
"Even one family travelling this distance increases the risk for many other people.
"We understand this is a difficult time and we’d all like nothing more than to have a day at the beach but for now let’s help save lives and take care of each other and not put others and ourselves at risk."
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab rejected fresh calls for an early easing of the coronavirus lockdown, saying the outbreak was still at a “delicate and dangerous” stage.
The Government is coming under intense pressure from senior Tories to relax the strict social-distancing measures, amid concern at the damage they are doing to the economy.
But Mr Raab, who has been standing in for Prime Minister Boris Johnson while he recovers from the disease, said the Government would proceed “cautiously” in order to avoid a second peak in the outbreak.
