Lockdown: Police get stuck in snow stopping rule-breakers

People are being warned about breaking lockdown restrictions after the police got stuck in snow due to rule-breakers.

A car driving on Moel Famau hill, Flintshire, despite roadblocks, skidded off the road on Thursday night, with officers deployed to help the passengers.

However, they then became stuck and had to call mountain rescuers.

A yellow warning for snow and ice has been issued by the Met Office for all of Wales, until midnight on Friday.

Police said: "This is why we say to you do not come out."

On a video posted on Twitter, an officer for the North Wales Police Rural Crime Team warned people about the consequences of breaking the rules.

"It is now involving two agencies, two police vehicles, two mountain rescue vehicles and three police officers and the casualty."

Rob Taylor from North Wales Police Rural Crime Team said the person who was driving the car, which travelled 200m when it lost control was "very, very lucky to be alive and escape uninjured".

"We've been having problems with people lately flouting the law and going where they shouldn't be going," he said.

"People have been going through them for various reasons whether that's a walk or sledge and gathering in large groups. So we have been paying attention.

"This issue that was highlighted perfectly yesterday where someone's gone there thinking it's okay to flout the law. They get themselves in trouble and cause an emergency response from police and actually put those police officers' lives at risk.

"Their actions can really affect many people."

The snow warning for Friday said 5cm of snow could also fall on hills and mountains, with a widespread frost forecast for the morning.

Road agencies said driving conditions on the A55 in Flintshire were difficult, with snow on Rhuallt Hill.

One lane on the expressway has been closed eastbound between Pentre Halkyn and Northop following a crash.

Roads have also been closed in Denbighshire following the heavy snow.

The Met Office warned there was a risk of slips and falls with sleet and snow predicted to fall on to already-frozen ground, creating icy patches.

Forecasters said that while snow was likely to fall on hills and mountains, flurries could be seen elsewhere, but this was likely to "be slight and temporary".

Further ice warnings have also been issued until 11:00 GMT on Saturday.