POLICE have warned that action will be taken against people who fail adhere to new national lockdown restrictions which come into force today.

Fines can now be issued to people who breach a range of restrictions set out by the Government aimed at bringing down the number of coronavirus cases.

They include staying at home, except for essential travel such as work, to get supplies, or for childcare purposes.

Assistant Chief Constable of Northumbria Police Neil Hutchison said: “We will continue to offer advice to people who have mistakenly broken the restrictions.

“However, we won’t waste time with endless encouragement for those who knowingly break the rules and endanger lives. They should expect to receive enforcement action, by way of a fine.

“No ifs, no buts, no maybes.”

A similar approach applies in the County Durham and Darlington area.

A spokesman for Durham Constabulary said: “We will take action against those who choose to put lives at risk by persistently breaking the regulations. We all have a shared responsibility to protect our families and our communities by reducing the spread of the virus.”