Police in Cornwall have confirmed they will be stopping drivers to speak to them about their journeys, in order to ensure people are considering 'if their journey is essential'.
A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said the move comes as part of a series of new measures, which also include 'deploying units as broadly as possible'.
The spokesperson said: "Today in Cornwall a number of neighbourhood patrols have carried out stop checks on vehicles travelling within the county. The purpose of these checks is to engage with the public and to explain and reiterate the request from government, ensuring people have considered if their journey is essential.
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"The purpose, at this time, is not to enforce the direction set out by the government, but to prepare communities for the new police powers which will be put in place in the coming days.
"This measure is one of many that the force have actioned today, including high visibility foot patrols, pro-active discussions around Public Health England advice and deploying units as broadly as possible.
"This is an ever changing situation and we will maintain an agile approach."
Many locals have said they've seen the measures in action in various parts of Devon and Cornwall, which are both counties that are popular with holidaymakers and enjoy a steady stream of tourism year-round.
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One person tweeted: "Police checkpoints in Hayle pulling over every car. Well done Devon and Cornwall police."
While many police departments elsewhere in the country haven't yet confirmed they'll be implementing the same measures, some people on social media have reported similar police presence in other areas.
A Twitter user called @BigMoLoyal in Leven, Scotland, shared a photo of police 'stopping cars... asking people why they're out'.
The government recently ordered Brits to stay at home where possible to help stop the spread of coronavirus, advising that they could leave the house once a day for exercise - something that some people have arguably taken advantage of.
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned that if people did not obey the rules 'police will have the powers to enforce them, including through fines and dispersing gatherings'.
However, many tourist spots have since had to close after people disobeyed advice to avoid crowds and flocked to popular sites, including several in the Lake District.
This promopted officials to remind people not to travel to such areas for a 'holiday', with Cumbria Police telling people: "Everyone should be heeding warnings and stopping non-essential travel."
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Featured Image Credit: PA
Topics: Police, UK News, cornwall, News, Coronavirus, Devon
