By Chris Littley
Caravan owners have been issued with fines and reminded of the ban on overnight stays away from home, after some have flouted the rules.
Police in Cornwall have seen an increase in the number of caravans and campervans being parked up overnight in recent days.
They have so far issued 14 fines for such behaviour and told the occupants of the leisure vehicles to return home, as current government restrictions make staycations in a motorhome illegal.
Cornwall Council and Devon and Cornwall Police issued a joint message in response to holidaymakers trying to camp in beauty spots including Porthcurno and Bodmin Moor.
Of the 14 penalty charges issued so far by officers to mobile home owners, 13 were in Newquay and one was in Bude.
Authorities in Cornwall have had a particularly tough time trying to prevent people flocking to the county since lockdown measures were amended on May 13th.
They have issued 92 fines in reference to breaches of the COVID-19 legislation and 63 per cent of them have been in relation to overnight stays in either caravans or second homes.
It’s not just individuals that the authorities are monitoring either, as Cornwall Council has been forced to investigate a number of campsites that have tried to reopen for business before the government has given the green light to do so.
Rob Nolan, Cornwall’s portfolio holder for the environment and public protection, told CornwallLive: “With the recent spell of sunny weather we’re seeing more people camping in the countryside but we’re reminding everyone that under the COVID-19 laws overnight stays outside your home are illegal and you can face a fine or prosecution.
“These rules were introduced to prevent the spread of this virus, protect our communities and relieve pressure on our NHS services, so please, enjoy our beaches and coastal paths but go home at the end of the day and if you’re a potential visitor planning a camping trip here please come back later.”
