A TOWN mayor has spoken out and promised additional "clampdown" measures against residents flouting social distancing advice after coming at the bottom of a "stay at home" table.

Middlesbrough mayor Andy Preston has promised a further “clampdown” against residents who refuse to conform to national lockdown measures to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

He revealed COVID-19 infection rates in the town are worse than any neighbouring authorities and fears the town will suffer more deaths than most northern towns in the weeks ahead.

Comments follow a report by Evergreen Health that revealed people from Middlesbrough are more likely than any other UK town to flout the “stay at home” measures designed to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Mr Preston said: “Infection rates in Middlesbrough are significantly higher than our neighbouring authorities, partly because we’re the most densely populated town or city for probably 70 miles or more.

“A stupid but significant minority of people across Middlesbrough think rules don’t apply to them. We need to make it crystal clear that they have to follow the rules.

“So I’m urging people to conform but I also think it’s imperative we make further clampdowns too that go above and beyond what’s happening on a national level.

“Apart from Middlesbrough’s parks being temporarily closed to protect people, tougher action is coming.

"If we want to save lives then we have to take decisive action.”

The survey revealed 25 per cent of respondents from Middlesbrough said they are not staying indoors, followed by 18.2 per cent in north Hertfordshire and 17.7 per cent in Burnley.

Mr Preston also shared his concerns on social media, tweeting that Middlesbrough Council has also been working with Cleveland Police to try and get people off the streets.

"We are trying," he wrote.

"Everyone’s frustrated that some individuals are flouting the rules that exist to keep us safe.

"Yesterday I worked with wardens and the police to disperse people.

"We’ll keep trying."

Over the weekend, in line with other councils across the region and country, the mayor also made the "unpopular decision" to keep parks closed, due to fears residents would disregard social distancing to enjoy the sunshine.

More than 26,700 Evergreen Health users responded to a survey on their behaviour during the pandemic to help the app build up a “heat map” of how well different parts of the UK are sticking to the rules.

The data excludes key workers.

The best at staying at home were the people of Ryedale, North Yorkshire, at 98.2 per cent, those in Wandsworth in southwest London and Adur in West Sussex, both on 97.5 per cent, followed by Richmond upon Thames and Powys at 97.1 per cent.