Coronavirus: Second home-owners 'evading police checkpoint detection by sending luggage ahead'

A policeman stops a car at a vehicle check point in Aysgarth in North Yorkshire, to ensure motorists are complying with Government restrictions and only making essential journeys. (Photo by Danny Lawson/PA Images via Getty Images) — A policeman stops a car at a vehicle check point in Aysgarth in North Yorkshire. (Getty)

Second-home owners are reportedly ignoring the coronavirus lockdown rules by posting their luggage ahead of them to avoid detection at police checkpoints.

According to The Sun, couriers have reportedly been tasked with transporting luggage for those looking to escape to coastal regions during the Easter bank holiday.

During the government’s lockdown, road blocks have been set up by several regional police forces to dissuade would-be holidaymakers from travelling.

By sending their luggage in advance of their trip, second-home owners have reportedly been able to pass through the checkpoints since officers have no reason to suspect they are on holiday.

Police officers from North Yorkshire Police stop motorists in cars to check that their travel is "essential", in line with the British Government's Covid-19 advice to "Stay at Home", in York, northern England on March 30, 2020, as life in Britain continues during the nationwide lockdown to combat the novel coronavirus pandemic. - Life in locked-down Britain may not return to normal for six months or longer as it battles the coronavirus outbreak, a top health official warned on Sunday, as the death toll reached passed 1,200. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) — Police officers from North Yorkshire Police stop motorists. (Getty)

North Wales Police said it was investigating after a delivery driver tweeted about the phenomenon.

"We’ve seen a number of suitcases through our delivery system recently. It’s not a coincidence I’m sure,” the unidentified driver tweeted.

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North Wales Police said in a statement soon afterwards: "Unbelievably we are investigating reports that people are sending their suitcases via courier with their clothes to holiday homes in Wales!,” the force's rural crime team tweeted.

"So if they get stopped en-route they are not found with them. Surely people aren't that selfish and cunning...are they?"

An almost deserted promenade around midday on Easter Sunday at Weston-super-Mare as the UK continues in lockdown to help curb the spread of the coronavirus.

With temperatures set to reaching highs of 24C in parts of the country, the government launched a campaign to urge people to stay home this Easter.

Many police forces have warned that they will be enforcing the travel restrictions and carrying out checks on the roads and across towns, to ensure people are not heading out for Easter breaks far from home.

Some have warned people could be fined if they are in breach of travel rules.

The Police Commander for Cornwall, Chief Superintendent Ian Drummond-Smith said: "Travelling down to the West Country is a serious breach of these restrictions and those doing so can expect to receive a fine.”

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