Police Corona Virus Road checks in Plymouth today. Pix by Wayne Perry - 07801289134 26/3/20
Police make checks in Plymouth today (Picture: WaynePerry)

Motorists will be stopped by police to ask if their journeys are essential during the coronavirus crisis.

North Yorkshire Police said it will use checkpoints to stop vehicles and ask drivers where they are going, why they are going there, and reminding them of the message to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.

Assistant Chief Constable Mike Walker, said: ‘The new and significant restrictions announced by the Prime Minister on Monday evening spell out very clearly what each and every one of us must do to save lives. The message is clear and the warning stark. Stay at home, save lives.

‘These are the lives of the people we know and love. Our partners, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, children, grandparents.

Police Corona Virus Road checks in Plymouth today. Pix by Wayne Perry - 07801289134 26/3/20
Officers will ask drivers where they are going and why (Picture: Wayne Perry)

‘You may never be in such a position again where your simple actions will lead directly to saving lives.’

The force said the checkpoints will be unannounced and could appear anywhere any time.

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Pictures from Plymouth revealed how Devon and Cornwall police are also stopping drivers who are out on the roads amid lockdown measures.

Road-blocks have been established in Plymouth, Devon, and in Cornwall where 150 vehicles were checked in Penzance, Hayle, and St Ives.

Plymouth D Section Response took to Twitter to share a picture of their road-block and said: ‘We are continuing our work again this morning with road calming measures and enquiries ref essential travel, consider this now the norm.

‘Officers have also deployed to various supermarkets to assist with queuing flows and social distancing.’

In Cornwall, officers shared news of the stops on the Facebook page Penzance Police.

They wrote: ‘Essential journey ? Driving to exercise at another location is NOT an essential journey!

‘Yesterday we stopped and checked over 150 vehicles in the Penzance, Hayle and St Ives area.

‘Drivers were asked if their journey was essential. We will continue to carry out these checks because, like you, we want to keep Cornwall safe.

‘Please share and let’s keep travel to an absolute minimum.’

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