Sat Apr 04, 2020 9:04 am
Coronavirus: Fears for lockdown over weekend of sunshine
Police face "one of their biggest challenges" of the lockdown this weekend as sunny weather risks drawing crowds to parks and beauty spots.
Katy Bourne, Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner, told the BBC officers were telling the public to "hang on in there" and avoid unnecessary trips.
Ministers have said "stay at home" is an instruction, not a request.
And senior medics urged people to avoid travel for the sake of two nurses who died of coronavirus.
A forecast of warm weather in some areas this weekend has led to warnings from local councils, tourism bosses and police urging people to stay away from coastal areas, national parks and other visitor destinations.
Forecasters have predicted a temperature high of 20C in south-east England on Sunday, while southern Scotland and the Midlands could reach 16C and 19C respectively.
"This weekend is going to be one of the biggest challenges for policing so far," Ms Bourne told BBC Newsnight.
"We've been through a lot, it's very disruptive but let's not give up, let's hang on in there. It's a collective endeavour, this is ultimately about saving lives and not putting a strain on the NHS and our other emergency services."