CHESHIRE Constabulary has so far issued 17 fines to people breaking the coronavirus lockdown rules, according to provisional data.

Figures released by the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) shows that a total of 3,203 fixed penalty notices were handed out in England between March 27 and April 13 for breaches of Government public health regulations.

The total number of fines issued by officers in England and Wales equate to less than 0.01% of the eligible population.

In Cheshire, a total of 17 fixed penalty notices have been handed out – which includes a fine issued to a 21-year-old man who was found in breach of the new regulations in Frodsham Street, Chester.

Elsewhere, Merseyside Police has issued 42, Lancashire Police 380, Greater Manchester 38, West Mercia 30, and Staffordshire just four, while North Wales Police handed out 26 over the Easter weekend.

On March 26, the Government announced new public health regulations to reduce the spread of coronavirus.

These measures entitle police to issue individuals with £60 fines if they fail to comply after officers have engaged with them, explained the risks to public health and encouraged voluntary compliance.

NPCC Chair Martin Hewitt said: "The vast majority of people are staying at home in order to protect the NHS and help save lives. "However, we have seen a small minority of people who, despite our best efforts, have refused to follow the instructions and officers have needed to use their enforcement powers.

"I want to thank everyone who is being responsible and following the regulations.

"Provisional data on the number of fines issued by police forces shows proportionate policing of these new regulations. Police have interacted with the public in their tens of thousands, with most engagements ending positively and with no need for a fine.

"Our approach our approach of - engage, explain and encourage, and only as a last resort, enforce – is working and will continue."