‘Clowns’: Family stopped by police on 500-mile round trip to Lake District over Easter weekend

Officers say group claimed journey was acceptable because they wore masks and gloves

A family has been caught trying to make a 500-mile round trip to the Lake District for a day out, ignoring government advice to stay at home to slow the spread of coronavirus, according to police.

Lancashire Police said the family admitted to driving from Greater London when they were stopped by officers on Easter Monday but claimed their trip was acceptable because they were wearing masks and gloves.

“A family from Middlesex stopped travelling to the Lake District for a day out? They thought if they wore masks and gloves this would be acceptable,” the force wrote on Twitter.

Officers said the driver was issued with a fine and the family was sent back home, with a reminder not to take non-essential journeys during the lockdown.

The post by Lancashire Police received a number of angry responses from commenters who described the family as “idiots” and “clowns”.

Although some people were fined over Easter weekend for breaking lockdown rules, most appeared to have followed government advice as popular bank holiday hotspots were deserted despite soaring temperatures.

More than 100 fines in total were handed out across the country between Good Friday and Easter Sunday by officers enforcing lockdown measures.

Some police forces have been criticised at times for their approach to the lockdown, with the Metropolitan Police admitting to a wrongful conviction under new coronavirus laws on Tuesday and several other cases under review.

Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, said on Monday the government had feared people “might start ignoring the advice or cutting corners given the temptation to go out into the sunshine” over Easter.

However, he said “the overwhelming majority of people stayed at home” and obeyed the lockdown.

Mr Raab added that it was “far too early” to talk about relaxing social distancing measures, despite some “positive signs” from official data showing measures could be slowing the spread of Covid-19.

“Our plan is working. Please stick with it and we’ll get through this crisis together,” he said.

The government is not expected to make any changes to lockdown rules this week, but it will review the measures on Thursday.

Additional reporting by Press Association