LANCASHIRE Police has launched an online form where people can report anyone breaching the coronavirus lockdown guidelines.

Earlier this month it was revealed the force was leading the way in issuing tickets to people flaunting the Covid-19 restrictions – with the 380 fixed penalty notices issued in Lancashire accounting for more than 10 per cent of those given out in England and Wales.

And now the force has launched a new online tool for people to report any coronavirus-related crime, including retailers who are not selling essential good remaining open.

A force spokesman said: "You've been asking us for a quick and easy way to report COVID-19 related crime and incidents. Today we launch an online tool to do just that.

"Please use this form to report incidents relating to breaches of the government rules that state people should stay at home and all retailers selling non-essential goods should close."

The spokesman added that in an emergency, the public should ring 999.

Police can issue fines of £60 to people caught outside without a valid reason, which goes up to £120 for second-time offenders, doubling for each repeat offence.

Speaking earlier this month, Chief Constable Andy Rhodes said fines were being issued to people who were uncooperative, and the figure of 380 was relatively small when set against the 4,000-plus calls the force had received about coronavirus-related incidents.

Chief Cons Rhodes said: “This is an unprecedented public health emergency with an unprecedented national effort to fight this virus.

“We’re all in this together and each and every one of us has a role to play by following the government advice.

“Our aim has always been to encourage and support our communities to comply fully with the restrictions by engaging, explaining and encouraging. The vast majority of people are fully complying with the guidance and advice and we thank them for helping to stop the spread of the virus.

“We are clear that only when faced with non-compliance will we then enforce as a last resort for individuals who have not responded to engage, explain, and encourage and where public health is at risk."

He added: "“We have recorded more than 4,800 COVID-19 related incident logs from members of the public between Friday, March 27, and Monday, April 13, and the number of fines issued is just a small percentage of that total.

“This represents a proportionate use of enforcement as the last resort for a small number of people who have refused to cooperate.”

To report any coronavirus-related crime go to http://orlo.uk/1vM9X