Police in Powys are targeting people who are "intent on flouting" travel guidelines as the lockdown is eased, the county's top cop has said.

At a virtual public meeting held via Zoom, Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn and superintendent Steve Davies explained the force's activities during the period of lockdown.

And Supt Davies told the online meeting that the force was continuing to target people who were ignoring the rules.

At one point the majority of people on the roads, the meeting heard, were either key workers or criminals, and officers recovered drugs and weapons during searches amid the lockdown.

“We needs to remain this vigilant as the infection hasn't gone anywhere," Supt Davies added. "The impact of test, trace and protect can have on resources mustn’t be downplayed.”

As well as Dyfed-Powys Police being the UK's busiest force when it comes to lockdown fines, Powys has seen more penalties issued than any other county in the country.

And Mr Llywelyn said: “There have been more fixed penalty notices issued in Powys than any other counties partly because of people coming into beautiful areas such as the Brecon Beacons National Park.

“The force have been very proactive to safeguard the communities, it’s was done for the right reasons.”

Supt Davies, who has only recently taken over operational command of Police in Powys, said: “This past few months have presented some extra challenges.

“Officers in Powys rolled their sleeves up and  got on with it.

“We were able to provide them with quality PPE that gave them reassurance and reduced any anxiety.

“There was some good work by our road policing unit. They really took the lead in terms of the approach of explaining and educating before we got to that enforcement position.”

He added that they had been targeting people who were “intent on flouting” the travel guidelines as restrictions gradually eased.

Mr Llywelyn added that the unit had recovered drugs and weapons during searches, and Mr Davies said the

One major issue the police faced was explaining to people in England that the lockdown regulations are different on the Welsh side of the border.

Mr Davies, said: “We had to try and push that message.”

“Our corporate communications team needed to promote the message particularly in the West Midlands.”

Mr Llywelyn added that there would be changes in how the service worked, due to the experiences during lockdown.

Mr Llywelyn, said: “Staff are working remotely and we have to embrace it.

“It can be advantageous from an environmental point of view with people driving here there and everywhere.”

Mr Llywelyn also wondered whether the police would have to deal with more anti-social behaviour and violent offending as the lockdown restrictions ease.

“It will be interesting to see how the public react to the greater loosening of restrictions.

“Will they go crazy and have parties? Will that have a negatively impact on the police service.

“Let’s hope not, but we’re mindful of those potential issues.”