Five people from Yorkshire who had travelled to Cumbria to go camping were among those spoken to by police for breaching government advice not to leave home unless absolutely necessary during the coronavirus restrictions.
The campers from Halifax were located by officers at Beckfoot Hall, Kirkby Stephen on Tuesday evening. Earlier in the day, police had reported people found having a barbecue at a house in Botcherby Avenue, Carlisle.
These incidents were among a series of public gatherings dealt with in a 10-hour period which prompted Cumbria Police to ask young people and parents to act responsibly during the coronavirus outbreak.
Superintendent Matt Kennerley said: “As we head into the Easter holiday period and as the weather gets nicer, we are appealing to parents to speak with their children about what they are doing and the moral responsibility we all have in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
“This is not a time for anyone including young people to congregate in large groups. All our communities need to work together and listen to the advice and stay home, to help save lives and not cause further misery to other members of the community by behaving antisocially during an already difficult time.”
Meanwhile, business support grant payments administered by Allerdale Borough Council to those affected by coronavirus are now approaching £20 million. The Workington-based authority, which covers Keswick, has processed 1,614 grants, with payments awarded so far totalling £19.95 million on Tuesday. A total of 1,907 applications had been received and business support grants are still available.
