Police chief warns Leicester drinkers not to visit county pubs

His words will be of some comfort to residents across the Melton borough who are concerned that those from the city, where infection levels are currently the highest in the UK, may go for a drink or a meal outside their restricted area from this weekend.

Hospitality businesses in the Leicester ‘lockdown zone’ will not be able to open for at least another fortnight and health minister Matt Hancock says non-essential travel is not allowed from those who live within its borders.

And Leicestershire Chief Constable Simon Cole emphasised today (Wednesday) that his officers would remain vigilant against anyone who attempts to travel to towns and cities close to Leicester with the powers to disperse or fine offenders.

He told BBC Radio Leicester: “One of the challenges is we have an area with a zone which has one set of rules and the rest of Leicestershire and the whole of Rutland has a different set of rules.”

Chief Constable Cole said police would engage with suspected offenders at first, explain what the regulations are and use stronger powers if they are required.

He warned against people travelling from Leicester to visit pubs, adding: “The idea to go somewhere else for a beer is a not good idea.

“Why put yourself at risk and your family at risk.”

“If it means waiting two weeks for a beer then do that.”

Worries have also been expressed on social media about people from the restricted Leicester zone visiting the Twinlakes theme park.

But the venue, which is on the outskirts of Melton, say on their Facebook page that visitors must pre-book.

Those from the affected Leicester area need to email to re-book their visit, the theme park states. Twinlakes park reopens its outdoor attractions and rides on Saturday.