POLICE responding to a group of men flouting the current lockdown and social distancing measures in Handforth discovered that one of them had left behind house keys and drugs.

Officers are carrying out regular patrols of local parks to disperse groups found to be congregating despite government orders to stay at home during the coronavirus lockdown.

Police now have the power to issue fines to those who are ignoring the government guidelines, which state that people must not leave their houses unless it is essential to do so.

The Total Fitness off the A34 bypass was closed on Monday, March 23, under government orders, and police received reports of a group of young men congregating on the outside courts at the gym.

When the officers got to the scene, the men had gone, but one had left behind his house keys and a quantity of drugs, prompting an invitation from Wilmslow Police for the owner to collect his keys from the station.

Wilmslow Police tweeted: “Patrols attended Total Fitness #Handforth after receiving reports of a large group of males playing football on the outside courts.

“If the young man that left his bag, house keys and drugs behind wants to collect his keys they'll be waiting for him at #Wilmslow Police station.”

This comes after PCSO Harding and PC Rowbotham also patrolled Stanley Hall Park and Meriton Road Park on Sunday following reports of several groups congregating on Stanley Hall Park.