A stern warning has been issued to people in Wiltshire and other nearby counties not to make unnecessary trips to Dorset.

During half term, police will continue to carry out daily patrols on the main routes into Dorset, as well as at popular beauty spots, and will be quizzing motorists about their journeys.

A fine of £200 could be handed to people who "have travelled unnecessarily and in blatant breach of the rules."

Area Manager Seth Why, of Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We completely understand and would like to encourage the public to get outside with their children this half term, but we also need everyone to respect the guidelines and stay local.

"We’re incredibly fortunate to have some of the most beautiful sites in the country on our doorsteps, but we still shouldn’t be making unnecessary journeys outside our village, town or city. These beauty spots aren’t going anywhere!

“Explore from your door, protect the NHS, save lives.”

Chief Constable James Vaughan said: “We know people love to visit Dorset, but trips here will have to wait and we are encouraging people to stay local and explore from their door. Disappointingly we have still seen people travelling for over 100 miles to visit our beauty spots. Travelling to stay in second homes or other rentals is also not allowed at this time.

“Our officers will be continuing their daily patrols on the main arterial routes in and through Dorset, as well as at popular beauty spots, and will be speaking to motorists about their journeys. If people are found to have travelled unnecessarily and in blatant breach of the rules, they could be handed a £200 fine and turned around.”

Between 27 March 2020 and 17 January 2021, Dorset Police issued a total of 1,083 fixed penalty notices (FPNs). Since January 6 2021, almost 200 FPNs have been issued in the county.

Between 6 January 2021 and 17 January 2021, 40 per cent of the FPNs were handed to people who live outside Dorset.

Examples of recent breaches include people travelling from as far away as London to surf off the Dorset coast and five people were fined after driving from Leicester to Lulworth to look at the coastline.

Councillor Spencer Flower, Leader of Dorset Council said: “I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who is continuing to follow Government advice to stay at home where possible. It is more important than ever that we all carry on acting responsibly, as the large majority of residents are doing in Dorset. We know how hard this lockdown is, with us all being affected by the restrictions in some way, but the light really is at the end of the tunnel as vaccines are rolled out every day to our most vulnerable people and front line workers.

"Please, continue to stay home and stay local this half term.”