MORE than three quarters of all Covid fines handed out by Dorset Police during the national lockdowns have been to people living outside the county, it has emerged - as visitors were urged to stay away over half term.

New figures show that during all three national lockdowns - March 23 2020 until January 17 2021 - 76.3 per cent of the total number of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) issued by Dorset Police were handed to those from outside the county.

This includes groups who had travelled from as far as London, Coventry, Cambridge and Leicestershire.

Chief Constable James Vaughan is urging local residents to stick to the lockdown rules during February half term and for visitors to stay away.

He said: "This is the third lockdown and I appreciate that people are getting fed up of being stuck inside and with half term next week I know people might be tempted to travel to the beach.

"However, we are getting the infection rate under control in Dorset and it would be a dreadful shame to see it rise again if people travel here and spread the virus.

"When I appeal to the good people of Dorset about not travelling outside the county I am preaching to the converted as on the whole local people have been very good at sticking to the restrictions.

"The problem is that the people who are ignoring the travel advice are driving in from hundreds of miles away to come to the beaches and beauty spots we have here.

"If people are found to have travelled unnecessarily and in blatant breach of the rules they could be handed a £200 fine and turned around."