FOUR people have been arrested and 64 fixed penalty notices have been issued with Fife police stating that lockdown enforcement was a "last resort".

And Deputy Chief Constable Malcolm Graham said there was still "a small minority of irresponsible and selfish people" who continue to ignore the restrictions that are designed to save lives.

The use of emergency coronavirus powers in Fife, from March 27 to April 23, also show that 167 people dispersed after being "informed" with a further 68 people not moving on until "instructed" to do so by police officers.

One person was returned home "using reasonable force".

During the same period across the whole country, Police Scotland issued a total of 1,637 fixed penalty notices and made 78 arrests.

DCC Graham said: "If you are out and about, officers may ask you why.

"Please, explain your individual circumstances, listen to their instructions and obey the law.

"We will, as we have been required to do on a very infrequent basis, take enforcement action where necessary.

“On the small number of occasions where officers have taken enforcement action, this has largely been in response to house parties or public gatherings, while a small minority of irresponsible and selfish people who repeatedly and wilfully break the law have now received multiple fixed penalty notices."

Chief Superintendent Derek McEwan, the divisional commander for Fife, thanked the vast majority of local residents for their co-operation in the fight against coronavirus.

He said: “I fully acknowledge the pressures and sacrifices that have been caused by the restrictions, as well as the impact on people's day-to-day activities, but they have been introduced because of the necessity to keep the public safe."

Mr McEwan continued: “We are patrolling all of our popular beaches, dog-walking locations and open air green spaces and we are taking a common sense approach.

"Enforcement capabilities are only being used as a last resort.

“Local policing teams are being supported by road policing officers, who continue to monitor our road network in an effort to positively influence driver behaviour and discourage any risk-taking activities, such as speeding, that could result in an accident and put additional strain on the emergency services and the NHS.

"The response from the overwhelming majority of the Kingdom’s public has been extremely positive and I would urge everyone to continue with the physical distancing guidance and keep yourself, your family and your community safe."

DCC Graham, strategic lead for Police Scotland’s coronavirus response, reminded the public: “The message is clear – you should only leave the house for very limited purposes, for example for basic necessities, such as food and medicine, for daily exercise, for medical needs or travelling for work which cannot be done at home.

“Avoid driving as much as possible. Use spaces close to home for exercise and do not drive for leisure.

“Do not hold house parties with people from outwith your household.

“As these restrictions persist and the warm weather sustains, people must not be tempted to ignore that message.”

Last week, an unnamed Fife cop slammed the "moronic idiots" who continued to flout lockdown restrictions and called for tougher enforcement.

He had said: "They think it's the blitz and they are being defiant.

"They aren't, they are being reckless.

"They drink to excess, they smoke, some take drugs and disobey health guidance yet they would get a ventilator before my parents."

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