Suffolk Police now has dispersal powers to help ensure everyone adheres to the social distancing guidance laid out by the Government and Public Health England, and that is good news for the Shotley peninsula.

With lovely weather set to continue oner the weekend it is feared visitors will continue ignore the lockdown and be attracted to tourist hot spots such as Shotley waterfront, Pin Mill, and Holbrook Creek.

Villagers were furious earlier in the week when a group people were seen picnicking at Shotley Gate, and others had travelled from Ipswich to stroll along the river front.

Like all other forces throughout the UK and Northern Ireland, our county's police have these new powers, granted under the Health Regulations 2020 and came into effect last night.

It is expected police patrols will visit the peninsula to ensure people are complying.

Steve Jupp, Suffolk chief constable, said: "Our officers will be out in our communities as we are normally.

"We will use the opportunity to explain the new rules and discuss with people what they are doing, and why they are out.

"We will continue to work within our traditional policing model, with the consent of the public.

"The vast majority of the public understand why we may need to use the new powers. We will, of course, negotiate and convince before resorting to the law."

What does this mean for you?

• Police will be able to disperse groups of more than two people from any public place
• Groups of more than two people - who live in the same household - are permitted
• Anyone who refuses to disperse will be given a £60 fixed penalty notice, reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days
• Second time offenders will be issued with a £120 fixed penalty notice - this will then double on each further repeat offence
• Anyone who does not pay a fixed penalty notice under the new regulations could be taken to court, where magistrates will be able to impose unlimited fines
• Anyone who refuses to comply will be acting unlawfully and may be arrested, but only if it is deemed proportionate and necessary