Gwent police says it will be stepping up patrols in the area

Gwent police says it will be stepping up patrols in the area to stop people breaking restrictions over the weekend.

With the weather forecast to be good, there are concerns people may ignore advice to stay at home.

The force said it had been made aware that illegal off-road biking was planned for the weekend.

Police now have the powers to fine people who break the rules, which state you can leave your house for essential travel, to go to work and to the shops - and for one form of exercise a day.

Chief Constable Pam Kelly said: "We understand that this is a difficult time for people, especially those that are ill, self-isolating, away from loved ones and of course for workers and businesses concerned about the future.

“The vast majority of our communities are adhering to the guidance and we thank them for that as they are making a real difference.

“We know there is a small minority of people who have been continuing to go against government guidelines. This has to stop."

Anybody caught should have their hand marked with a permanent Id number and should not be entitled to help off our nhs heroes. 500 pound fine and 1 year suspended sentence.

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Anybody caught should have their hand marked with a permanent Id number and should not be entitled to help off our nhs heroes. 500 pound fine and 1 year suspended sentence.

Where's the forces and reservists
It all seems, a bit slow to me.

https://twitter.com/TheSting17/status/1 ... 68130?s=19

'We've never seen so many sick young patients'

An intensive care consultant has warned coronavirus "takes no prisoners".

Dr Ami Jones said the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport has doubled bed capacity and has opened a third intensive care unit.

The Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, which covers the city, hit more than 1,000 confirmed cases of the virus on Sunday - with many more cases likely in the community.

Dr Jones told BBC Breakfast her patients were often much younger than anticipated.

"My patients are very young, much younger than I thought," she said.

"Some are in their 20s, 30s, 40s, lots of them are in their 50s - lots of them in their 60s and 70s - and they are profoundly sick, super sick."

'House parties and unnecessary shopping trips'

Police in the Gwent force area had to deal with "house parties and unnecessary shopping trips" over the weekend, said its deputy chief constable.

Amanda Blakeman told BBC Radio Wales some individuals were continuing to flout the stay-at-home rules.

"The majority did comply but we did see a number of people who didn't," she said.

"We are visiting people and explaining to them to stop what they're doing."

The police chief said the next step was enforcement, including fines and summons.

"I would urge people to be cautious and not spoil it for everybody else," she added.

Most of the force's policing area falls under the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, which has recorded the highest levels of positive coronavirus tests in Wales.

On Sunday, the number of cases in the area reached 1,020 - though the real level of the virus in the community is likely to be much higher.

The comments from the deputy chief constable follow warnings from both the UK's health secretary and the Welsh health minister that stricter restrictions on movement could be imposed, if the public does not heed the warning to stay at home.

Broke out yesterday to drive to Tesco on Malpas Road.

Fair do's, saw only 6 vehicles on the duel carriageway during the round trip. And 2 of them were paramedics.

So it is getting through.

Police had to clear out gatherings at Pontypool Park, mind.....

Anybody caught should have their hand marked with a permanent Id number and should not be entitled to help off our nhs heroes. 500 pound fine and 1 year suspended sentence.

Where's the forces and reservists
It all seems, a bit slow to me.

On standby mate.