Coronavirus lockdown flouted in Dorset

And while there’s plenty of speculation about what the Prime Minister will announce on Sunday, the rules are STILL in place.

We’re really lucky to live in such a beautiful area here in Dorset.

And that’s been made especially obvious over the past few weeks by the number of people still travelling here - despite the warnings not to.

Yesterday, ahead of bank holiday weekend, Dorset Police reminded people that the county is closed to visitors.

With the weather set to be lovely, the force has asked people to stay clear: "We will be policing our roads and other transport networks over the bank holiday weekend and ask you not to travel.

"If we stop vehicles and they are travelling to a second home we will ask them to return to their primary residence.

"Essential travel does not include visits to second homes, camp sites, caravan parks or similar, whether for isolation purposes or holidays. People must remain in their primary residence.”

During the last bank holiday weekend at Easter, excuses including spear fishing, dog walking, visiting a friend and plans to self-isolate in a rented camper van were given to police.

And these guys were also spotted enjoying a barbecue on the West Cliff, handing round the ketchup for their bacon and sausages.

Picture by BNPS

It came just a few days after police seized a vehicle from a group of people who had travelled to Bournemouth beach from Luton.

One of Dorset’s most popular beauty spots, Durdle Door, has also seen a heightened police presence over the past few weeks, with security added to ensure people stay away.

During one weekend, more than 40 cars were turned away from London, as well as Oxford, Brighton, Taunton and locally Dorchester, Poole and Bournemouth.

A few weeks later, these day trippers from Lincoln were also sent packing.

Elsewhere, there have been reports of surfers and kitesurfers not heeding the pleas of police and RNLI.

And BCP Council and the police have spoken of their battle to keep people out of Slades Farm skate park after groups of around 30 people were reported to be using it at the same time.

Police also closed a car wash in Wool which reopened, while in Poole, police officers have been patrolling after complaints about house parties and gatherings.

Fire crews have been forced to issue a plea after a group of youths started this heath fire after having a camp fire at St Leonards.

And reminders have been issued about what an essential journey is after one woman was caught driving to collect a trampoline and a man from Portsmouth was stopped collecting a fish tank.