A SECTION of a Clent beauty spot has been cordoned off by police in a bid to stop people flouting social distancing rules.

The viewing point at Nimmings Wood was cordoned off over the weekend after people were found to be travelling there to enjoy the view.

Visitors were driving to the hills and gathering in groups despite the government social distancing measures restricting people's movement to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Officers from Hagley and Rubery Safer Neighbour Team took to Twitter to say: "Due to issues with people congregating at the beauty spot at Nimmings Wood Clent the SNT and @LeePageWMP have taken the decision to cordon off the view point to prevent people travelling to admire the view. This is a decision we did not want to take."

Police however have said the message is "starting to come through" as the second week of lockdown begins, with only local visitors who have walked to the beauty spot as part of their daily exercise spotted at the site today (March 30).

Lee Page, Safer Neighbourhood Team Inspector for Bromsgrove and Redditch, said his team are encouraging the public to stay home and will take enforcement action when it is "necessary and proportionate".

He said: "We have seen large groups congregating in Clent Hills over the weekend but this number has thankfully decreased.

"Our focus remains on engaging, explaining and encouraging the public to stay home and save lives.

"Officers are speaking to those who are gathering and only taking enforcement action if it is necessary and proportionate.

"We will continue to be out on foot providing reassurance and engaging with the public out exercising or performing essential tasks as outlined by the Government.

"We are applying discretion and asking questions to establish individual circumstances.

"We will request that people go home if they do not have a good reason to be outdoors and will be dispersing any gatherings of more than two people."

The move comes after people were spotted gathering for barbecues on the hills last week despite strict government warnings.