DEVON and Cornwall Police have been using new powers which came into force yesterday, Thursday, March 26, to ensure motorists in the Crediton area were not breaking coronavirus partial-lockdown rules.

Strong words of advice were extended to motorists in Crediton High Street this lunchtime as well as in other areas of the town.

Paperwork was checked and, on more than one occasion, car boots were opened to see if vehicle owners had shopping as they had stated.

During the same period, and at other times, police officers were checking vehicles in other areas of the town.

The new powers mean that anyone continuing to break coronavirus rules will be breaking the law and faces arrest.

People ignoring the tougher restrictions on movement could be hit with a £60 fine initially and another for £120 for a second offence.

The powers given to police in England mean no-one will be allowed to leave their home "without reasonable excuse".

The measures will last six months, with a review every three weeks.

To ensure people stay at home and avoid non-essential travel, police will be able to order people to go home, leave an area or disperse.

The new powers mean officers can:

• ensure parents are doing all they can to stop their children breaking the rules

• issue a £60 fixed penalty, lowered to £30 if paid within 14 days

• issue a £120 fixed penalty for second-time offenders, doubling on each further repeat offence

Anyone who does not pay can be taken to court, with magistrates able to impose unlimited fines.

If they still refuse to comply, police can arrest them.

However, the Home Office, in announcing the new rules, said that "in the first instance, the police will always apply their common sense and discretion."

Under strict measures to fight the coronavirus outbreak announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson earlier this week, people are only allowed to leave the house for specific reasons:

• Shopping for "basic necessities", as infrequently as possible

• One form of exercise a day such as a run, walk or cycle

• Medical reasons, to provide care, or to help a vulnerable person

• Travelling to and from work, but only if it is "absolutely necessary" and cannot be done from home

Several new activities which are permitted have been added to a list outlined by the PM, including moving house, fulfilling legal obligations and to escape injury, illness or the risk of harm.

In a separate development, anyone who coughs on key workers as a threat amid the coronavirus crisis will face serious criminal charges.

Thursday’s warning from the Director of Public Prosecutions for England and Wales comes after reports of essential workers being coughed at by people claiming to have the virus.

Two men in England have already been convicted and one of them was jailed.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that he had contracted a mild form of the coronavirus and was working from home today, Friday, March 27.