Published by the Pirate FM News Team at 3:57pm 2nd June 2020.

Police in Cornwall have responded to community concerns about overnight stays in the county under the current government COVID-19 pandemic regulations which prohibits people from staying overnight in a camper van, second home or holiday let, and will be checking popular sites and beauty spots.

“We are all looking forward to when visitors can make the best of our wonderful beaches and moorland. But for now, people may not stay overnight at any place, other than the place that they are living, without reasonable excuse. Holidaying is not deemed in the regulations to be a reasonable excuse. The regulations are there to reduce the spread of the coronavirus and keep everyone safe. We will continue to respond to concerns with our approach of Engage, Educate, Encourage and finally Enforce. If people are found to be breaching this regulation, this may well result in a fine being issued. We are asking everyone to take responsibility and to abide by the law by keeping their visits short, and not staying overnight.”

Chief Superintendent Ian Drummond-Smith, Police Commander for Cornwall

The Government has issued public guidelines about what people can and cannot do under the amended regulations.

See point 1.15 which states: “You are not permitted to stay overnight away from the place where you are living for a holiday or similar purpose.”

Chief Superintendent Drummond-Smith continues: “That being said, I would urge the public not to jump to conclusions when they see camper vans: many people are using them as a legitimate base to explore the beaches and countryside and return home afterwards. Not every van is committing an offence – only those that sleep over without a reasonable excuse.”

“The majority of people are continuing to play their part in this national endeavour and it’s important that we all continue to take personal responsibility for our actions and think twice – is it safe and is it fair?”

via