NO fines have yet been issued to people caught flouting coronavirus lockdown rules, Wiltshire Police said.

Forces across the country have 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.

Wiltshire Police confirmed on Friday afternoon that no fixed penalty notices had yet been issued. The force was actively patrolling country parks and other countryside beauty spots, fixing notices warning people of the importance of staying at home.

On Wednesday, Chief Constable Kier Pritchard said he did not want to unnecessarily criminalise people and urged everyone to abide by the lockdown rules announced by the Prime Minister on Monday.

In a YouTube video posted on Friday, he thanked "the majority" who had complied with instructions to stay at home.