OFFICERS will be 'increasing patrols' in tourist areas following reports of lockdown breaches.

Cumbria Police are cracking down on visitors to the Lake District after a number of complaints of lockdown flouters visiting tourist hotspots.

The crackdown comes after reports of people ignoring tier restrictions and staying overnight in the county.

Concern has also been raised about second home owners flouting Government guidelines to visit their Lakes abodes.

Assistant chief constable Andrew Slattery said the force will be 'increasing patrols in tourist areas' following reports of guideline breaches.

He said: "Cases of infection are continuing to rise rapidly in Cumbria.

“We will be increasing patrols in tourist areas following reports that people are ignoring the law passed by the Government and travelling here from other areas of the country to stay overnight.

“People with holiday homes must cease letting them out, other than in line with a legal exemption.

“It is important that people remember that these Government regulations are in place to stop the spread of the infection, save lives and protect the NHS.”

Tim Farron, MP for South Lakes, said lengthy trips to the Lakes 'must be off the cards'.

He said: "With rapidly rising infections rates, it remains absolutely crucial that every single one of us plays our part in stopping the spread of this virus.

“A big part of that is limiting our travel and therefore that means making lengthy trips to visit the Lakes must be off the cards for the time being.

“My strong advice to visitors is, for now, please stay at home and exercise locally.”

Currently the Tier 4 regulations state that a person responsible for carrying on a business consisting of the provision of holiday accommodation situated in the Tier 4 area, whether in a hotel, hostel, bed and breakfast accommodation, holiday apartment, home, cottage or bungalow, campsite, caravan park or boarding house, canal boat or any other vessel, must cease to carry on that business

In Tier 4 it is an offence to: be out of your home without a reasonable excuse, meet up with more than one other household, stay overnight away from home and let out a home for the purpose of a holiday.