Cheshire Police have issued 58 fines over the weekend for "blatant" breaches of Covid-19 restrictions.

The number of Fixed Penalty Notice's (FPN) issued at the weekend is more than double than the entire month of December, marking a toughening stance against rule-breakers.

The force said officers have been out and about in local communities continuing their approach of engaging, explaining and encouraging people to comply with the coronavirus regulations.

Most of these reports related to parties and gatherings. A number of vehicles were also stopped carrying multiple occupants who were not from the same household or the Cheshire area and were travelling without a reasonable excuse.

In Crewe, officers issued three FPNs after a BBQ was held at a property while in Chester, eight FPNs were issued to people attending a house party after reports of loud music.

Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said: "We have been living with some form of restrictions for around 10 months now and we have had to make incredible sacrifices in order to keep the ones we love safe.

"The majority of people living in Cheshire have been sticking to the rules in place and I would like to thank them for doing so.

"However, there is a minority who continue to blatantly and repeatedly flout the rules in place. This is not acceptable.

"Our officers will continue to engage, explain and encourage but when they are met with these persistent rule breakers who have no regard for the safety of others, we must do what we can to protect the NHS and save lives."

New regulations were put in place on Wednesday 6 January to ensure people stay at home and avoid all non-essential travel – unless it is for one of the following reasons:

• To shop for basic necessities
• To exercise
• To go to work if you cannot do so from home
• To escape risk of harm

People can leave their homes to exercise outside alone, with members of the same household, linked household or linked childcare household (for children under the age of 13).

Residents can also meet with one other person who is not a member of a linked or same household for exercise in a public outdoor space.

ACC Sims added: "With the new variant of the virus it is now more important than ever that we follow the restrictions in place and do all we can to stop the spread.

"The guidance is clear about staying at home. In Cheshire, we are lucky to have a great amount of green spaces and beauty spots but if we are exercising, we must do our best to keep it local.

"Officers will do their job in keeping you safe and, in turn, we need you to follow the rules and stick to the guidance, which is in place to help protect you – and others."

Police and Crime Commissioner David Keane said: "With the new variant being more transmissible than the variant we knew before, we must do all we can to reduce the spread of the virus, protect our NHS and save lives.

"The majority of people in Cheshire have followed the restrictions which have been in place over 10 months now but we must continue to make great sacrifices in order to protect those in our communities from harm."