Where reasoned conversation has not been successful Essex Police will take enforcement action against people flouting Covid-19 rules, the force has said.

The position comes amidst warnings from the Metropolitan Police which has instructed officers to enforce lockdown laws more "quickly" and accept fewer "reasonable excuses" in an effort to save lives.

The Met has announced that people committing "obvious, wilful and serious breaches" will no longer be given the benefit of the doubt.

It comes as the Government faces calls to allow police to enter people's homes to break up gatherings following an alarming rise in coronavirus cases.

The Met said that officers will accept fewer "reasonable excuses" for people being away from their homes, and those not wearing masks when they should be are more likely to be slapped with a fine.

Essex Police has said it will continue to use the four Es approach – engage, explain, encourage and enforce.

A spokesperson said: "With regards to how Essex Police plans to enforce the regulations and why it is important to ensure residents are following the rules, our position remains the same as it has always been.

"Essex Police will continue to use the same common-sense approach to the regulations that we've had throughout the pandemic – we'll engage with people, explain the regulations, and encourage them to do the right thing.

"Where reasoned conversation has not been successful we will take enforcement action.

"We will also continue to respond to clear and blatant breaches of the regulations in order to protect and serve the county and take enforcement action when that occurs."

Much like the lockdown in March, residents are instructed to stay at home except for a handful of permitted reasons.

Exercise outdoors will be allowed only once a day and outdoor sports venues must close.

On Wednesday, 6 January director of health for Essex Mike Gogarty said around 1 in 18 people in parts of South Essex are now thought to have the virus.

He added that this infection rate could soon reach the whole of Essex.

Latest figures - for the seven days to 2 January - show an infection rate for Maldon district of 1008.5 cases per 100,000 people. For the Essex County Council area to the same date, it is 1144.3 cases per 100,000. The national average is currently at around 550.5 per 100,000.