The chief constable of Cheshire Police has joined his counterparts in forces across the North West to issue a warning to residents who breach Coronavirus restrictions as we head into the second lockdown.

In an open letter to the public, Darren Martland and his fellow police chiefs said they would be taking a "firmer stance" when it comes to the enforcement of the rules.

They wrote: "Sadly we have seen a minority right across the North West who seem incapable of demonstrating any civic responsibility and complying with the regulations."

The police chiefs said they would be "moving more quickly" to issuing fines to those found to be deliberately breaking the rules.

In particular, the police will be targeting organisers of large gatherings, music events and house parties.

The police chiefs wrote: "To the minority who feel the restrictions don't apply to them be prepared to face the consequences of greater levels of enforcement."

"Where we have issued Fixed Penalty notices a significant proportion of recipients think they can ignore them. We are therefore seeking support from Government and the Judiciary to consider how we bring these people to justice rapidly."

The letter thanked "the majority" of people for following the rules and called on them to "maintain that shared purpose" in order to get through the lockdown and "defeat the virus".