Nottingham police to fine Leicester locals £100 for travelling to city’s pubs and shops on ‘Super Saturday’
COPS will fine Leicester locals who travel to Nottingham's pubs and shops this weekend - as the city braces itself for 'Super Saturday'.
Nottinghamshire Police said it is working with British Transport Police to clamp down on unnecessary travel from Leicester to the area - as thirsty Brits get set for pubs to open this weekend.
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Leicester was today put into the UK's first local lockdown after a worrying spike saw Public Health England identify 2,987 cases — with 944 in just two weeks.
The shocking numbers mean that the city accounts for 10 per cent of all coronavirus cases in the UK.
All shops, pubs and restaurants will remain closed in the city, raising concerns that cooped-up locals could flee to nearby Leicester for a pint - where pubs and shops are set to reopen.
'WE WILL ACT'
It is understood cops will not patrol train stations and road checkpoints, but will instead act if they have reason to believe people are breaking the rules.
Chief constable of Nottinghamshire Police, Craig Guildford, said: "If we get any intelligence from Leicester such as a minibus or coach travelling to Nottingham then we will act accordingly.
"British Transport Police will be doing the same.
"You are still allowed to travel to get to work, but they will be looking for a breach of the guidance such as going shopping or going on a night out."
Chief Constable Guildford added, however, that the force is "not anticipating a rise of people from Leicester" this weekend.
If we get any intelligence from Leicester such as a minibus or coach travelling to Nottingham then we will act accordingly.
Chief Constable Craig Guildford
Anyone in Leicester caught breaking the rules could face a £100 charge, with the force set to use fines as a "last resort".
Constable Guildford said: "Our approach will remain unchanged. We will be offering education and fines as a last resort.
"There will be the odd person who does not want to be locked down and fancies a day out in Nottingham. We are not anticipating a rise of people from Leicester.
"I think most people in Leicester will respect that and it has been put in place for a reason."
'NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL'
Today Health Secretary Matt Hancock said that while non-essential travel was not being made illegal, it would if it had to.
He said: “We are recommending against all but essential travel to and from and within Leicester.
“We will take further action including putting in place laws if that’s necessary but I very much hope it won’t be.
“If further action is needed then of course we are willing to take it.”
Boris Johnson today thanked the people of Leicester for their “forbearance” in dealing with the new coronavirus restrictions - saying "we cannot be prisoners of this crisis".
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The drastic move will see non-essential shops closing while schools will also have to shut.