Two women who travelled from London to sleep in a car by a beauty spot have been handed fines by police. 

Lockdown rules mean people should only be making essential journeys. 

The Colchester Community Policing Team handed the fines to the women, aged 19 and 20, earlier this month.

They had left their separate households in London to spend the night sleeping in a car by Abberton Reservoir in freezing conditions.

In another incident an 18-year-old man had an expensive wake-up call after he travelled from West Mersea to Colchester for a coffee.

He had to add the cost of a fine to the price of his drink after he picked up his girlfriend, from a different household, to keep him company.

Officers at Essex Police have urged people to reconsider any non-essential journeys they may consider taking. 

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A spokesman said: "If you are thinking about organising a social gathering or making a non-essential journey, please reconsider, stay safe and stop the unnecessary spread of Covid-19.

"Our officers will continue to take a common sense approach to the government’s regulations. They will continue to engage with people, explain the regulations and encourage them to do the right thing.

"But, where reasoned conversation is not successful, we will consider enforcement action.

"We will continue to respond to clear and blatant breaches and, where they occur, work with our partners to resolve them.

"We want people to continue to report Covid-19 breaches. You can report them via our website by using our digital 101 service, where you can speak to one of our operators via Live Chat, any day between 7am and 11pm.

"For further details about the latest Covid-19 restrictions, please visit the government's website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home."