COVID marshals and police have been challenging groups of people who have been meeting in Swinley Forest over the past two weekends.

This comes as local authorities try to crack down on those who are not following lockdown rules in the borough.

Under national lockdown restrictions, people are allowed to leave their home for essential reasons only.

READ MORE: Coronavirus rate goes up for the first time in nearly two weeks

Daily exercise in a local setting is only permitted by yourself, with your household or support bubble or with one person from another household.

According to Bracknell Forest Council, some people are “knowingly and persistently breaking these rules by meeting in large groups in popular places such as parks.”

As well as patrols by covid-marshals and Thames Valley Police officers, an ad bike with a ‘stay at home’ was hired to cycle a loop from Westmorland Park in Warfield to The Look Out passing through 16 popular spaces used by residents.

Bracknell Forest Council is also taking action to reduce people travelling to the borough to use The Look Out outdoor playground, with only local residents able to book places.

Cllr John Harrison, BFC’s public protection boss, said: “We are taking a zero-tolerance approach on those who are found to be knowingly and repeatedly breaking the rules.

READ MORE: The area in Bracknell with the highest number of covid deaths

“Times are tough and we know that people are fed up with COVID, but this is not the time to get complacent, particularly with the new strain of the virus being more transmissible.

“Whilst figures are moving in the right direction, the virus still poses a big threat to lives and to our local communities.

“We are fortunate to have some fantastic green spaces in the borough and understandably people are wishing to visit these for fresh air and exercise, but residents must follow the rules, stay local, and keep their distance.

“Walk or cycle from home where possible and if a park is busy, change your plans to visit at a quieter time. Anybody found to be breaking these rules will find themselves hit with a hefty fine.

READ MORE: Bracknell goes from purple to blue on map as covid rate falls again

“We all need to do our bit by staying at home and following the rules when out for essential reasons to protect our borough, the NHS and to save lives.”