One of Lancashire’s most senior police officers has expressed his frustration at breaches of the third national lockdown rules.

Deputy Chief Constable for Lancashire Police, Terry Woods, said it had been a ‘busy weekend’.

On Friday, DCC Woods told the Lancashire Post, the force would ‘not shy away’ from fining those who were blatantly flouting the lockdown restrictions.

Lancashire’s police force are the fifth highest for dishing out Covid-19 related fines, with 1,507 given out since March 2020.

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DCC Woods said: “Sadly busy weekend concerning blatant Covid breaches.

“Hundreds of incidents reported by the public.

“Reports of pubs, a gym and even someone filming staff at testing centre.

“Summary, not enough people staying home, some stretching excuses, meanwhile NHS and public services are creaking folks.”

Read more: Full list of rules in force for lockdown 3

In response to one response on Twitter where the police chief was challenged about ‘people just sick of being told what to do’, DCC Woods, said: “Ben by your Twitter feed you seem like a decent chap.

“Local hospitals are full and people are dying.

“All we’re after is people stay at home as much as possible.

“In the real world pal we’re not dealing with people at the end of their lives – it’s those who want to be out with their mates.”

DCC Woods led the county’s response to the first wave of the pandemic, chairing the Lancashire Resilience Forum.

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