Portsmouth police fine driver for refusing to leave Portsdown Hill until he had finished his coffee

On Saturday evening, officers explained the regulations to one driver in the Viewpoint car park on Portsdown Hill, but he refused to move until he had finished his takeaway coffee, according to police.

The 56-year-old man from Swanmore was subsequently reported for summons in relation to a fixed penalty notice.

A spokeswoman from Hampshire Constabulary said: ‘The individual involved was reported for contravening the requirement to not leave or be outside of the place where they are living, unless with a lawful excuse.’

Officers conducting Covid patrols say they have had to talk to several individuals about similar behaviour – driving to collect take-away food and then parking up to eat it – in areas across Portsmouth this weekend.

Southsea Esplanade and Portsdown Hill were reported as hot spots for people potentially breaching Covid regulations with their hungry car-stops.

The spokeswoman added: ‘Parking up to eat takeaway food is not permitted under current health protection regulations; once your food has been collected, you are required to go home.

‘We will continue to engage, explain and encourage people to comply with the regulations in place, and we will enforce where blatant breaches are observed.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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