Fines issued to group after birthday camping trip in Wiltshire countryside

Police have issued three coronavirus lockdown fines after discovering four people camping.

Officers stumbled across the group alongside the River Avon, in the Woodfalls area of South Wiltshire in the early hours of Bank Holiday Monday (25 May) morning.

The officers – who were attending a separate incident at the time – established that the individuals had travelled from Southampton to camp in a field to celebrate a birthday.

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Under current Government restrictions, camping is not permitted and all campsites and caravan parks remain closed in accordance with health protection regulations, Wiltshire Police confirmed.

Three adults, between ages 19 and 23, were issued with Fixed Penalty Notices and a 17-year-old was given words of advice.

Insp Pete Sparrow said: “Although the government restrictions now permit greater reasons for travel, there is still the underlying principle that people should stay at home.

“Camping with friends is not permitted. Salisbury is blessed with many beautiful locations, which will still be there in the future for you to visit once it is safe to lift the restrictions.

“Officers in Salisbury will continue to work tirelessly to protect our rural communities and encourage everyone to comply with the restrictions which are necessary to keep us all safe. Where necessary, enforcement action will be taken.”

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