The Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly is asking celebrities to set a good example to the wider public and not travel to the region during this third national lockdown.

Commissioner Alison Hernandez is urging them, as well as the wider public, not to travel to Devon and Cornwall and risk spreading the new, highly contagious variant of coronavirus.

Her request follows previous reports of people travelling to the area to visit second homes. One recent high profile case saw police officers turn away five people from Tier 4 areas on the Isles of Scilly, the only UK area to remain in Tier 1.

Commissioner Alison Hernandez said: “We know Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are absolutely beautiful and it’s totally understandable that people would want to spend time here – our thriving tourism industry is evidence of that.

“However, at a time when stopping the spread of this terrible virus is more important than ever, I must urge people not to make unnecessary journeys to the region.

“This new strain of Covid-19 is spreading much faster and we must do everything we can to protect our residents and the NHS.

“I would particularly like to appeal to celebrities and high profile social media stars. By not conducting unnecessary trips to the region you will be setting a fantastic example to the wider public and, in doing so, encouraging more people to stick to the rules.

“I would urge you to lead by example and together we will come through this.

“There will, of course, come a time when Devon and Cornwall can welcome back visitors with open arms, and while that time isn’t now, I would urge you all to #ComeBackLater.”

People fleeing domestic abuse are among the people still permitted to travel and Commissioner Hernandez says this remains a vital right.

She said: “We will continue to help and protect those who need to get away from abusive situations and those people are obviously welcome in Devon and Cornwall.

“We commission a wide range of domestic abuse services that are still available around the clock to anyone who needs them."

The Victim Care Unit (VCU) can be contacted on 01392 475900 or at www.victimcaredevonandcornwall.org.uk.