Coronavirus warnings and a fine have been handed out to people caught near Watford after travelling from another part of the country.

Four people who had been in an Audi were spoken to by police after a crash at J21A on the M25 on Wednesday, January 6 at 2.25pm.

Hertfordshire Constabulary says the crash involved the Audi and a Transit Van - no one was injured and the vehicles were recovered.

The force said those in the Audi were found to have been making a journey that was not classed as essential.

The Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire (BCH) road policing unit said the four occupants had travelled from another part of the country.

Three were given Covid-19 warnings by police, while one person was slapped with a fine, BCH police said.

England’s third national lockdown came into force on Wednesday to bring down infections, with MPs having overwhelmingly backed the latest measures.

Under the lockdown rules, people must not leave home unless they have a reasonable excuse.

The government says that anyone who does need to travel should stay local – meaning avoiding travelling outside of your village, town or the part of a city where you live – and look to reduce the number of journeys you make overall.  

The list of reasons people can leave their home and area include:

  • work, where you cannot reasonably work from home
  • accessing education and for caring responsibilities
  • visiting those in your support bubble – or your childcare bubble for childcare
  • visiting hospital, GP and other medical appointments or visits where you have had an accident or are concerned about your health
  • buying goods or services that you need, but this should be within your local area wherever possible
  • outdoor exercise. This should be done locally wherever possible, but you can travel a short distance within your area to do so if necessary (for example, to access an open space)
  • attending the care and exercise of an animal, or veterinary services