Police in East Lothian tell public to keep reporting Covid-19 lockdown breaches - but not in the hotspot areas they know about

Police in East Lothian have urged the public to keep calling them about lockdown breaches – but not in the hotspot areas they already know about.

Many have been driving to visit local parks and beaches in the recent sunny weather from outside the local area, and police appealed for this to stop last week. Officers have been patrolling known park and beach hotspots up to six times a day and some cars have been given parking tickets and people have been told to go home.

Local area commander, Chief Inspector Neil Mitchell, urged members of the public last week not to keep calling to report breaches of social distancing.

Police in East Lothian have been patrolling in hotspot areas.

But in a statement released on social media on Thursday, local area commander Chief Inspector Neil Mitchell said he wanted to “address some confusion” and make clear that police still want the public to report any breaches outside of the known park and beach hotspots.

He said they have been carrying out patrols over the past week following numerous calls from concerned members of the public in relation to large numbers of people gathering.

Chief Insp Mitchell continued: “I wanted to let them know that their concerns had been listened to and we would now have a dedicated presence in hotspot areas, meaning there would be no requirement to keep calling in respect of these specific locations.

“I want to be clear, however, that the public are welcome to report any potential lockdown breaches so we can respond accordingly. Police Scotland officers out on patrol may ask questions of those outside their homes, but only to ensure that restrictions are being adhered to.”

He stressed that, while all parks and beaches remain open and can be used in line with Scottish Government guidance, including for dog walking and daily exercise, officers want to urge everyone not to drive to these locations to undertake those activities and instead stay in their local area.

Chief Insp Mitchell added: “The Scottish Government's guidance is clear - you should only leave the house for very limited purposes, for example for basic necessities such as food and medicine, for daily exercise, for medical needs or travelling for work which cannot be done at home.

“Please avoid driving as much as possible and use spaces close to home for exercise, refraining from driving for leisure.”

Over the past week, police in East Lothian have been carrying out patrols in hotspot areas on quad bikes and horses as well as by foot, bicycle and motorcycle.