SOUTHALL Safer Neighbourhoods Team has been working closely with Ealing Council on operation Pontem and has issued 150 fixed penalty notices (FPN) during December and January.

The operation focused on Bridge Road in Southall, which has always seen a large amount of people travel to the area, despite the COVID restrictions.

Of the 150 FPN issued, over a third of them (56) were issued over the Christmas period alone.

Tickets were issued to those travelling from as far as Manchester and Scotland for non-essential reasons.

At the same time, the team from Ealing Council served prohibition notices on four businesses, with one failing to adhere, so a fine was issued.

PS Guy Rooney, from Southall Safer Neighbourhood Teams said: "This joint up approach between police and Ealing Council to tackle COVID breaches has highlighted that some people are still disregarding the restrictions put in place to protect themselves and others.

"This pandemic is putting a strain on hospitals, GPs and emergency workers, and the fact that people are travelling over 200 miles for non-essential reasons is adding to risk and subsequent workload on those going above and beyond to help those in need.

"Myself and my team will continue to patrol, engage and when needed enforce the restrictions on those who have deliberately and purposefully broken the rules."