Well done Dorset – keep it up.

That’s the message from police in response to the county’s efforts to stay at home to combat coronavirus.

Another three weeks of lockdown have been confirmed and up to now, residents in Dorset have been doing their best in following the Government’s guidelines to stay at home and protect the NHS.

This aerial photo of Weymouth Beach was taken on Wednesday by a member of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance’s critical care team.

What would normally have been a packed-out beach during the Easter holidays was deserted.

The crew said: “A beautiful sunny day today and Weymouth Beach is empty. Great to see that people are taking social distancing seriously.”

Police have issued just 23 fines for lockdown breaches so far, and Dorset Police deputy chief constable, David Lewis, has asked the public to ‘stick with it.’

He said the force has applied a ‘positive’ and ‘common sense’ approach to enforcing lockdown rules by engaging with members of the public, talking to them and giving words of advice.

“People have been very compliant and very supportive,” said Mr Lewis.

“We were worried about the sunny weekend and had extra patrols along the main routes.

“Most people stayed at home and the cars we did stop, 90 per cent were essential journeys. A handful were out for the wrong reasons and we turned them around. All-in-all it’s been a successful bank holiday.

“Stick with it. Stay at home to help save lives. We are here to support you so please do the right thing until this is over.

“If you have to think ‘is my journey essential?’ it’s probably not.”

So far, Dorset Police has had low levels of staff sickness and self-isolation during the crisis. Mr Lewis said his colleagues have “really stepped up in a time of national crisis” and are doing an “excellent job.”

'Remember why we are being asked to follow the restrictions - more than 13,000 have died'

Dorset Police deputy chief constable, David Lewis said now was not the time to become complacent.

He said: "It is more important than ever that we continue to follow the restrictions and stick together as a community. I understand that none of this is easy and people are feeling worried, anxious and frustrated, but these measures won’t be for long and we need to dig deep and remember why we are being asked to follow the restrictions.

“Tragically more than 13,000 people have died in the UK from this virus – we owe it to everyone else to do the right thing and stop more families losing loved ones to this terrible disease.

“Please help to save lives and support us in policing the Government’s restrictions by staying at home. Only leave for shopping for basic household necessities; one form of exercise a day - alone or with members of your household; any medical need or to provide care to a vulnerable person; or when travelling to and from work - but only where you cannot work from home."

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill said: “As anticipated, the Government has extended the COVID-19 lockdown by three weeks. Although expected, it makes the restrictions we are all abiding by no easier to bear and once again, I would once again like to thank the people of Dorset for the fortitude and resilience they have shown in dealing with the restrictions that have been placed on our daily lives.

“We all know people who are suffering and sadly grieving at this time, so I would ask you all to keep those you know and love in mind, as we begin the next three weeks of lockdown and not to lose focus just when it is needed the most. We must simply, stay at home and save lives.

“I don’t underestimate how difficult life has been over the past three weeks for everyone, but we are all making a difference and we must persevere, we must work together and if we do - we will get through it.”