GREATER Manchester Police now have the power to hand out fines to people not following the Government lockdown rules in the fight to tackle coronavirus.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the nation on Monday night to only leave the homes to shop for basic necessities “as infrequently as possible” and to perform one form of exercise a day.

People can also leave their home to receive medical help, provide care to a vulnerable person or travel to work if “absolutely necessary”.

But if anyone is found outside other than those reasons then they could be handed a £30 fine.

The fine will go up if they do not pay it.

Refusing to pay could lead to being given a criminal record.

On Thursday on BBC Radio Manchester, GMP Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said “most people are complying” with the legislation that has been introduced to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 across the UK.

But he added that there was a minority of people who have been flouting the law and defying the social distancing measures that have been put in place.

The force has been working to “explain and encourage” the general public to follow the rules.

Mr Hopkins also warned people to be wary of “abhorrent” crooks looking to benefit from the health crisis through scams.

“People have got to be really wary of this, particularly around online stuff,” the police boss said.

In cementing his point he mentioned that he had actually received a text message on Thursday morning which was “clearly a scam”.