POLICE in Warrington are stopping vehicles to check whether people's journeys are necessary.

It comes after people across the UK were urged to stay at home unless absolutely necessary to slow the spread of coronavirus.

Officers are also checking that your vehicle is legal.

Police officers now have powers to enforce staying at home and avoiding non-essential travel.

As a result, people who continue to flout coronavirus lockdown rules will be breaking the law and could be arrested or fined.

Officers can use 'reasonable force, if necessary'.

Police can order members of the public to go home, leave an area, have the power to disperse a group and can make arrests if someone refuses to comply.

Those who ignore the tougher restrictions on movement could be hit with a £60 fine initially - reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days - and another for £120 for a second offence.

Those who do not pay could be taken to court and risk facing costs for unlimited fines.

Refusing to provide a name and address to avoid being given a fine is an arrestable offence.