Police officers from Newtown have issued lockdown fines after 19 men were caught travelling from Merseyside.

The group travelled in five vehicles to go off-roading in the hills near Newtown on Saturday (May 2).

Dyfed-Powys Police received a report that several off-road vehicles and vans were seen in the area, and extensive searches were carried out to find them.

Inspector Gareth Earp spotted the group on his way home, and alerted Newtown officers.

Four men from one van had decamped from the vehicle and were found hiding in a wooded area.

As a result, all 19 men were issued with £60 fines, and one was reported for Class B drugs.

PC Rob Hamer said: “This showed excellent work across divisions to respond to the concerns of our communities.

“Off-roading is a problem all over Powys, causing damage to footpaths, bridleways and tracks, and green lanes in forestry areas and common land. Not only that, but as we saw last weekend people are actually breaching the current legislation to come into the area for off-roading.

“Officers will be out and about again this weekend ensuring people are following the guidelines. We urge people to stay safe at home.”

In Powys, 305 fixed penalty notices have been issued by Dyfed-Powys Police for non-essential travel between March 23 and May 6.