Police say people sending suitcases to North Wales by courier are not likely to be tourists dodging coronavirus rules

North Wales Police has clarified that reports of people having suitcases courier delivered to the region are not likely to be an attempt to dodge the coronavirus lockdown restrictions.

Yesterday North.Wales reported how officers were looking into claims that holiday home owners were trying to avoid detection by sending their luggage ahead of them.

This was based on a tweet by the force’s rural crime team, which has since been liked and retweeted more than 400 times (see bottom of article).

Members of the Gwynedd South policing team have now said after examining the reports they do not believe this to be the case, although they mentioned these came from ‘local media’ such as North.Wales and ‘social media’ and did not reference their own colleagues as being the source

Instead the suitcases are said to belong to people who have been on cruises and are having them returned home.

They have also highlighted that not all holiday homes are being used by tourists, with some accommodating key workers during the pandemic.

In a statement, police said:“We are aware of reports in the local media, and on social media regarding courier drivers delivering suitcases to local addresses, the inference being that second home owners are attempting to avoid detection by us when coming to the area.

“We have investigated this and have found that where local residents have been repatriated after cruises, their luggage is being couriered to them. We believe this is likely to explain what has happened here.

“Please remember that not all holiday homes are being used by tourists but some are with key workers and residents that have been in place for months/years.

“Thank you for your concerns – we will look into every report we receive and we are grateful for the ongoing support from our local communities whilst we operate in extraordinary circumstances.”

Unbelievably we are investigating reports that people are sending their suitcases via courier with their clothes to holiday homes in Wales!
So if they get stopped enroute they are not found with them
Surely people aren't that selfish and cunning…are they?#StayHomeSaveLives pic.twitter.com/MyelCjrz9l

— NWP Rural Crime Team/Tîm Troseddau Cefn Gwlad HGC (@NWPRuralCrime) April 9, 2020