Stay in, save lives and don’t place extra pressure on the police, NHS and mortuaries; that is the message from the National Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) ahead of the Easter bank holiday weekend.

Last weekend as temperatures peaked above 20C, people up and down the country were spotted flouting Government rules – and with a four-day weekend approaching fast, police are doing all they can to urge the public to listen.

PFEW National Chair John Apter said: “As we approach the bank holiday, I know there is a natural urge for people to enjoy it, especially when there have been these restrictions for some time now.

“Police officers will always do their very best to engage with the public and educate them about the risks and dangers of us not using social distancing and taking unnecessary journeys. But we will use enforcement if we have to as a last resort.”

He added: “This is not about a heavy-handed approach, this is about saving lives. We can all see the stark figures out there which show the number of victims taken by this terrible virus – and these figures are at the forefront of my colleagues’ minds when they are trying to police this crisis.”

The Government announced an increase of 938 deaths yesterday (April 8), taking the UK’s total to 7,097.

Mr Apter continued: “The vast majority of the public are supporting the restrictions and understand police have a difficult job – but there are still some idiots who are completely disregarding them and are putting other members of the public at risk. It’s as simple as that.

"It is selfish and is having a detrimental impact on others.

“All I ask is for everyone to adhere to the rules, support each other and not place extra pressure on the police, NHS and mortuaries,” he concluded.