POLICE have issued a warning to families not to break lockdown rules as the Easter holidays get underway.

The message comes after Gloucestershire police issued their first fines to those ignoring social distancing rules on Saturday. Two men and a woman from Manchester were issued with £60 penalties after being caught on the M5 travelling to Bristol to buy a car. Officers were also called to another part of the Cotswolds on Monday after barbecues were held near a nature reserve. And on Thursday night police were spat at and racially abused after breaking up a house party in Gloucester.

In the 11 days from March 27 to April 6, more than 100 Covid-19 related incidents were reported to police in the Stroud district, including reports of anti-social behaviour and concern for welfare. Despite these incidents, Gloucestershire police have praised residents for their response to the lockdown and urged the public to continue to adhere to the rules over Easter.

Assistant chief constable for Gloucestershire Craig Holden said: “Given the current situation, it is clear that going on holiday is not a reasonable excuse for travelling, whether it is to visit a holiday cottage or to stay at a campsite. We are doing all we can to protect our local communities and we would ask that people from outside the county do not put extra pressure on our resources.

“The same message goes to those from Gloucestershire, who are thinking about leaving the county for the same reason, which will impact on the communities of the areas you are considering travelling to. Please stay at home and save lives by protecting the public and the NHS.”

A spokesman for Dursley Town Council added: “We would like to remind all those visiting the town’s green spaces to adhere to social distancing polices and despite the expected warm weather over the next few days these areas should not be used for meeting friends or congregating in large numbers.”

The weather is expected to reach around 20 degrees Celsius on Friday.

Stroud District Council leader Doina Cornell said in a statement endorsed by all leaders: “I would like to thank everyone in the district for their efforts in reducing the spread of coronavirus and supporting their neighbours.

“With the Easter Bank Holiday coming up and the weather improving, we appreciate it’s going to be tough to stay at home – but we must to play our part in reducing it spreading.”