Police broke up a large car meet during lockdown.. but no fines were issued.

The team were made aware of the late night meet up, which saw at least seven cars gather in Pitsea, during their patrols yesterday evening (November 26).

Officers dispersed the gathering with words of caution, but have warned that next time they will each be driving home with a £200 fine.

And while England remains in lockdown until December 5, the force are urging the public to listen to the rules, which allow residents to meet for exercise outdoors with only one other person.

A spokesperson, said: "We’ve given words of advice to a group that met up socially in Pitsea.

"Remember, you must not meet with another person socially or undertake any activities with another person.

"You can however exercise or meet in a public, outdoors space with people you live with, your support bubble, your childcare bubble, or with ONE other person.

"Next time they will each be driving home with a £200 fine."

When explaining why the group weren't fined, the spokesperson added: "The reason our officers didn’t issue any fines was that per our approach when responding to incidents of this nature, we engaged and explained the situation and encouraged them to do the right thing by leaving, which they did.

"Therefore enforcement action wasn’t necessary or proportionate."

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