Hundreds of people across the UK have been issued with fines for breaching coronavirus restrictions over the weekend, in a worrying sign that an increasing number may be losing their patience with the lockdown.

Police forces fined people for visiting beauty spots and broke up a number of house parties and gatherings.

One driver was stopped by North Wales Police on Saturday for travelling from Portsmouth to pick up a front bumper.

The force said: “Travelling nearly 300 miles for a piece of cosmetic plastic for your car is not essential at this time.

“The regulations have been broadcast far and wide. Please be mindful you will be reported if your journey is not essential.”

Two motorists were also reported by the same force for driving more than 200 miles from Scotland to visit friends in Wales in breach of Covid travel restrictions.

A group having a party in a garden shed were also among those caught breaching restrictions.

Temporary assistant chief constable Nigel Harrison said: “It is not acceptable to pick and choose the law you follow and the laws you don’t.

“This is not a dress rehearsal and people will live and die on the actions we all choose.

“The restrictions to prevent the spread of Coronavirus are there to protect us all.

“It is vital that everyone takes personal responsibility by staying home unless they have a valid reason not to be there.

“Now is not the time to head up into the mountains or to enjoy scenic drives in the countryside.”

In London, officers shut down an illegal car meet in Romford and issued fines for 49 people who had been found speeding around a roundabout and mixing with other drivers without any social distancing.

In Greater Manchester, police have issued 110 fixed-penalty notices for coronavirus regulation breaches since Friday 3pm. It brings the total number of notices in the region to 2,600 since August.

Fines were handed out to people who attended a number of house parties over the weekend, as well as to four people whose vehicle broke down after they drove to pick up a takeaway.

Chief inspector Carol Martin of Greater Manchester Police, said: “The majority of people across Greater Manchester are following the government’s guidance – we would like to thank them for doing their bit throughout the pandemic. However, there is a minority who think they are above the law.

“It is incredibly frustrating to those abiding by the rules that some people are showing such a blatant disregard for the current regulations.

“Not only are they putting their own lives and those of their loves ones at stake, they also risk undoing the hard work of everyone else continuing to make the necessary sacrifices at this time.

“We would like to reassure people that dedicated teams of officers are responding to reports of non-compliance and are continuing to follow the national lead by engaging with members of the public, explaining the law and encouraging compliance, but our officers will not hesitate to take enforcement action if people are found to be flouting the rules.”