A BURGLARY victim was told by police that he could not travel to his home to check what had been stolen due to coronavirus restrictions, it has been reported.

Peter Baker fears thousands of pounds of equipment has been taken from his garage in Norfolk but was reportedly told be couldn't check what was missing - because the trip was not one of the government's "reasonable excuses" for travel.

The 87-year-old had hoped to travel more than 140 miles from his home in Crawley but was warned not to make the trip, a newspaper said.

The electrician's daughter, Nikki told The Sun that it was "stupid" that her father couldn't go to check what was stolen.

She told the paper: "What more of an excuse could there be to travel? It's stupid."

The Argus: The trip outlined on Google MapsThe trip outlined on Google Maps

Under the current restrictions, people can only travel for essential activities, such as shopping or daily exercise.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "People should only be leaving their home if it is one of the reasonable excuses listed on the Government website which you can find here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home#summary-what-you-can-and-cannot-do-during-the-national-lockdown.

“If a burglary has been reported to the local force where the crime occurred and the property owner is unable to attend, the property would be secured on their behalf.”

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A Norfolk Police spokesman said: “We have been unable to find any record of the burglary being reported to us at this time.

"However, our policy around COVID-19 related questions is to signpost people to the Government website.

"We won’t interpret the guidelines for people and will advise they need to make their own decisions to travel or undertake activity and it is their responsibility to justify the necessity of the journey or activity.

"When dealing with any third-party report of burglary, we would always attend and make sure the property was made secure.”

Thousands of pounds of fines have been handed out by police against people caught breaking the rules, including one man who made the journey from London to Hove to buy a pair of headphones.

Leaving home for leisure purpose is not allowed, and those caught face fines of up to £10,000 for organised gatherings.