NO FINES have been issued to any Wiltshire residents caught flouting coronavirus lockdown rules, police confirm.

Instead Wiltshire Police says officers have been engaging with communities to explain the importance of staying at home, as well as social distancing.

Last week, police forces across the country were been given new powers to hand out on-the-spot £60 fines to those breaching restrictions on movement. The fines are reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days.

A Wiltshire Police spokesman said: “At this stage we have not issued any fixed penalty notices in response to the Government coronavirus restrictions.

“At the moment our focus here in Wiltshire is on engagement with our communities, explaining to them the importance of adhering to the rules around social distancing and encouraging people to cooperate with the authorities.

“Of course, if necessary, we will use enforcement, but we are hopeful that the vast majority of our residents understand that the restrictions have been put in place to protect the public, particularly the most vulnerable in our society.”