Essex Police have this morning (Saturday, 13 February) released an update on how officers are enforcing Covid-19 restrictions across the county.

A police spokesperson said: "The vast majority of you are doing the right thing, but where clear and blatant breaches have taken place our officers have responded to them."

Details of Covid breaches police have dealt with include:

-Two young men in Brentwood were issued fines after meeting officers twice in the same evening on 3 February. After it was explained to the men that they didn't constitute a bubble and should return to their respective homes - one of which was outside Essex - police handed them fixed penalty notices when their advice was ignored.

-An 18-year-old man had an expensive trip after he travelled from West Mersea to Colchester for a coffee. He had to add the cost of a fine to the price of his drink after he picked up his girlfriend, from a different household, to keep him company.

-A Grays householder was issued an fixed penalty notice for hosting a party on the evening of 5 February as it contravened rules preventing gathering in an indoor space with two or more people from different households.

-And Colchester Community Policing Team (CPT) handed out fines on 6 February to two women, aged 19 and 20, who had left their separate households in London to spend the night sleeping in a car by Abberton Reservoir in freezing conditions.

-The following day, fines were issued by Grays CPT officers to two men riding off-road bikes in Purfleet for making an unnecessary journey and being from different households.

-A man who drove his three friends to Southend in the early hours and then told officers they didn't need to know why he was there was issued with a fine.

-Another driver who decided to take late-night trip to Southend to 'see the sea' with two friend had to make alternative arrangements to get home after being stopped by officers. All three sightseers were issued with fixed penalties and the car was seized as it was uninsured.

-A night out with friends turned out to have a hefty price for five young men in Southend on 11 February. Special constables were patrolling in the Prittlewell area when they stopped a car which was being driven erratically.

The occupants were searched after the Specials noticed a suspicious smell coming from the vehicle. One of them, a 17-year-old boy from Hockley, was then arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon following the discovery of a knife. He has since been released under investigation. His friends were all issued with fines for Covid-19 breaches.

-Fines were issued to 13 to car enthusiasts who breached Covid-19 regulations after they held a meet in Great Oaks car park, Basildon – opposite the town's police station. Officers found the group inspecting each other's vehicles - a hobby which is against the government's coronavirus regulations.

-Finally, nobody wants to be late but a couple who travelled from Devon for a hospital appointment in London were directed back to the South West after stopping off to stay with family in Benfleet. Records showed they weren't due at the hospital for another nine days.

The police spokesperson added: "If you are thinking about organising a social gathering or making a non-essential journey, please reconsider, stay safe and stop the unnecessary spread of Covid-19.

"Our officers will continue to take a common sense approach to the government's regulations. They will continue to engage with people, explain the regulations and encourage them to do the right thing.

"But where reasoned conversation is not successful, we will consider enforcement action. We will continue to respond to clear and blatant breaches.

"We want people to continue to report Covid-19 breaches. You can report them via our website by using our digital 101 service, where you can speak to one of our operators via Live Chat, any day between 7am and 11pm."

For further details about the latest Covid-19 restrictions you can visit the government's website using the link here.