POLICE in our region have handed out more than 1,600 fines to people they have caught flouting coronavirus lockdown rules.

Lates figures published by every police force in England and Wales has revealed the number of fines for every alleged breach of lockdown rules.

The data, which is recorded over a period between March 27 and May 25, shows a total of 1,633 fines have been issued in the North-East and North Yorkshire.

In County Durham and Darlington, Durham Police officers have issued 155 fines for alleged breaches of lockdown rules.

Meanwhile on Teesside and in Hartlepool, Cleveland Police have issued 303 fines over the same time period.

Northumbria Police, which covers Tyne and Wear, officers have handed out 243 fines across the force area.

However, the highest number of fines in our region has been issued by North Yorkshire Police - with 1,032 fines registered.

It comes as North Yorkshire Police said it had issued more than 50 coronavirus lockdown fines during the Bank Holiday weekend alone.

The majority of the vehicles had travelled from the Cleveland area, said a spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police and more than 30 motorists were issued with traffic offence reports for blocking the highway.

A spokesperson said 52 fines were issued in total under the coronavirus regulations, including 39 in the Scarborough area, four in Harrogate, four in Selby, two in York, two in Craven and one in Hambleton.