Covid fines issued to snowboarders who travelled from West Midlands to Shrewsbury

The fixed penalty notices were issued to two males who were stopped by police in Shrewsbury some time before 9.45am on Saturday.

Police said the pair, who had travelled from the West Midlands, were searching for a suitable location to snowboard.

Officers stopped the duo before issuing them with a fine for breaching lockdown restrictions for non-essential travel.

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Following the incident, a statement from the Local Policing Priority Team North, part of West Mercia Police, said: "Two males have been issued Covid fines this morning having been stopped passing through Shrewsbury.

"They had travelled from the West Midlands to find somewhere to snowboard."

It comes after police in Broseley said fines had been issued in the town for "blatant" breaches of coronavirus lockdown restrictions and a warning was issued to offenders who were throwing snowballs at the homes of elderly and vulnerable people late at night.

The cost of a first offence is £200 - which is lowered to £100 if paid within 14 days - and £400 for a second offence.

The fine is doubled for each further offence up to a maximum of £6,400.

Individuals found holding an illegal gathering of more than 30 people could be fined £10,000.