POLICE officers in East Lothian are patrolling beaches on quad bikes.

They are taking to the county’s golden sands as often as six times a day to ensure people are following lockdown guidelines, Chief Inspector Neil Mitchell has confirmed.

He added that extra resources would be deployed, including officers on horses, motorcycles and on foot, to ensure the public adhered to social distancing guidelines.

Officers are also engaging with visitors and checking car parks and approach roads.

Ch Insp Mitchell said: “I wanted to take this opportunity to ask everyone to stay at home and only visit your local parks and beaches if they are within walking distance from your home.

“My officers do not want to stop local people enjoying the outdoors but at this time we must ensure that the guidelines are followed.

“We are aware that people have been travelling from further afield and from outside East Lothian – I am asking that this stops. We are working closely with East Lothian Council and partners to prevent people breaching the rules and I would like to thank everyone for assisting with this.”

The county’s police commander added: “If you are out, expect to meet my officers who may ask you some questions. Please engage with them and take direction if required. Although we can issue fixed penalty tickets, we do not want to do this.”

Figures released by Police Scotland show that, in the period from when lockdown began, on March 23, and April 23, 97 fines were issued and two arrests made in the Lothians and Borders area.

It comes as Police Scotland ask that people stick to social distancing rules and not be tempted by warm weather to break them. A number of car parks at rural beauty spots have been closed off to persuade people not to drive substantial distances to exercise.

 

 

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