Police have said that fixed penalty notices can be issued to anyone driving to locations to walk their dogs during the current COVID-19 lockdown.

In a response issued to Pembrokeshire County Council leader Clr. David Simpson after many reports had been received over people driving to beauty hotspots such as beaches in the county simply to exercise or walk dogs, Dyfed Powys Police have stated that anyone not adhering to Government restrictions and legislation over this matter will be fined as a last resort.

“It is clear guidance that we as officers will engage, explain and encourage all members of the public to adhere to the restrictions imposed by the Prime Minister. However, for those who refuse to adhere to these restrictions, we will use enforcement as a last resort,” said a spokesperson for the Police authority.

“We will always appeal to the good nature and common sense of all members of the public we engage with who appear not to be adhering to the restrictions. This is a matter of National Emergency and we would hope that the need to use enforcement would be an absolute last resort.

“Our key objective is to support and maintain our NHS who are under extreme strain at this time, whilst also safeguarding the public and our officers and staff.

“We are conducting stop checks on vehicles and if the journey is deemed not essential then we will be asking persons to adhere to the restrictions and to return home; if this is not abided to, we will as a last resort enforce and issue a fixed penalty.

“This includes travelling somewhere to walk your dog. This is not essential travel and we would urge you to walk your dog from your home address which you are entitled to do.

“In relation to travelling to buy food and essential medicine – this is allowed. Officers will naturally ask you to shop as close to home as possible but should you feel the need to shop at a large supermarket which you need to travel to in order to purchase your good, we ask that you engage in conversation with officers and explain this, we are open to discussions.

“We ask that the Government restrictions are adhered to and the focus is on looking after our NHS and key workers that look after everyone else at this time, whilst also safeguarding our communities,” they added.

The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Wales) Regulations to which police are working to in Wales came into force on March 26. The purpose of these new powers is to save lives by protecting the public and the NHS.

Tenby’s neighbourhood policing team issued vehicles with notices last week asking ‘why are you here today?’ as motorists were spotted driving to areas of the town to park up and walk their dogs on the resort’s beaches, with the notices instructing the public to avoid all unnecessary travel, reaffirming the Government restrictions in place which do not permit people to use vehicles to travel to locations to exercise or walk dogs.

Coastal car parks have also been closed by Pembrokeshire County Council and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority (PCNPA).Concerns for the amount of people driving to East Williamston nature walk to go for a walk have also been raised with local police teams, with regular patrols of this area to be conducted.A letter to the Observer from a local resident has also urged people to respect rules in place after many Coastal Path sections were closed by PCNPA last week.“Despite an official sign on the gate to the path from Penally Station which leads across the golf course to the South Beach, stating the path is closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, dozens of people on a daily basis are ignoring the sign and using the path to walk themselves and their dogs,” states the correspondence.“Can I, through your newspaper, ask these people to respect the rules that apply to all of us in this difficult time and to also respect their fellow human beings who, like myself, observe their selfish actions with despair!”The RSPCA has also urged walkers to ‘keep dogs on leads’ at this time - to help ensure social distancing and avoid owners having to come into close contact with one another should they have to go and retrieve their dog; or in the event of an incident which could cause a potential veterinary visit.

Dr Samantha Gaines, dog welfare expert and head of the RSPCA’s companion animals department, said: “The RSPCA is reminding the public that - while each person in a household can walk their dog once a day - it is imperative they stay two metres away from others, and avoid contact with other people’s pets when doing so.

“At this time, we’re urging people for these few weeks to keep dogs on leads while out walking. This will help ensure social distancing and unnecessary close contact between owners, which could spread the virus.

“It is incumbent on all of us to do our bit and stop the spread of coronavirus. The RSPCA has worked with a number of other bodies interested in animal welfare to issue advice to the public - which it is hoped will support efforts to prevent the spread of coronavirus and keep people and their pets safe.”