Police in Cornwall are "fighting a losing battle" against overnight stays - according to the woman in charge of the county's policing.

Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez made the comments on Twitter following an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, saying: "Up early to speak BBC 5 Live that there are no overnight stays allowed in Devon and Cornwall yet.

"But reality is the police are fighting a losing battle."

She went on to thank Truro and Falmouth MP Cherilyn Mackroy for contacting 10 Downing Street "about the level of campervans flouting the advice."

Ms Mackrory has publicly slammed the behaviour of people who have been staying overnight in vans, after dozens of campervans were spotted camping overnight at Perranporth and other coastal towns and villages in Cornwall.

She has since raised the matter with the Prime Minister's Office and issued a stern warning to people who have been breaking the lockdown rules by staying out overnight.

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Ms Mackroy said: "Let me be clear, this is not on. These people are breaking lockdown rules which prohibit overnight stays away from your primary residence and the police have powers to fine them and send them home.

“My message to you is this. This irresponsible and dangerous behaviour risks the health and wellbeing of our coastal communities with a second peak of Covid-19.

“You might have come down to catch a wave on our north coast but what you are doing is risking a dangerous second wave of COVID-19 that could be life threatening for you and the people in the places you are visiting.

“Go home now and come back later, when it is safe to do so.”

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In addition to taking the issue to 10 Downing Street, the MP has also spoken with local police in Cornwall and added: "I was pleased the PM’s office and our local police force listened to my feedback.

"They are keen to know more and have assured me there will be early morning patrols going ahead over the bank holiday weekend to catch those in the act. This is welcome news.”

Any vehicles being stayed in overnight can be reported to police by emailing 101@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk and Ms Mackroy has asked that people also email her via cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk to let her know what areas they are staying in, so that she can follow it up with the police and the Prime Minister’s Office.