SURREY Police is asking people to "think twice" if they are making plans to visit Frensham Ponds after the chaotic scenes over the late May bank-holiday weekend.

Sun seekers flocked to Frensham Common in great numbers on the bank-holiday Monday in particular, parking bumper to bumper on the A287 and Frensham village green – and rubbing shoulders on the Great Pond’s beach area in clear violation of social distancing.

The chaotic scenes forced the police to intervene, flying drones over the common and booming out social-distancing messages.

They asked groups of three or more to leave the site, and closed the lanes surrounding the Great Pond as vehicles poured out of the beauty spot’s overflowing car park.

Many fixed penalty notices were also slapped on to cars parked illegally on the rural clearways in Bacon Lane.

However, the closure of both Bacon Lane and Pond Lane had the unfortunate consequence of offsetting the problem parking on both sides of the A287, while cars also piled on to Frensham village green.

Looking on, by great coincidence, was Surrey’s police and crime commissioner (PCC) David Munro, himself a resident of Frensham, living opposite the green.

Visiting the Great Pond and Common by foot, the PCC witnessed examples of social distancing not being followed, risking a rise in new cases of the virus.

Mr Munro said: “As we begin the slow journey to a new normal, it is absolutely critical we protect the progress we’ve made, by continuing to social distance and isolate where necessary.

“As a local resident, I was concerned to see examples of individuals breaching this guidance, presenting a very real risk to our communities.

“We must all stay alert, by resisting the urge to meet with more than one individual from another household, and avoiding driving to beauty spots when they are likely to be crowded or have limited parking.”

A police spokesman confirmed the force received "numerous calls" in relation to overcrowding and potential breaches of social distancing guidelines at the site over the bank-holiday weekend.

They continued: "The large number of people visiting the site led to the parking facilities being overwhelmed, which led to numerous vehicles parking in the surrounding roads and congestion in the local area.

"Officers were deployed to the location and roads were closed to prevent vehicles entering Bacon Lane and trying to access the car park.

"Officers walked through the crowds, engaging, explaining and encouraging people to follow social distancing rules, which the majority of visitors took on board. The drone was also lifted to reiterate the message.

"Due to the site being common land and with numerous ways to gain access, it was not possible to close the location."

Waverley Neighbourhood Sergeant Andy Crane added: “Parking at Frensham Ponds is always an issue whenever we have warm weather, and we meet regularly with our partner agencies, including the National Trust, Waverley Borough Council and Surrey Fire and Rescue, to look at ways of resolving this issue.

"Much of the work that needs to be completed revolves around educating motorists of the problems they cause when parking anti-socially and continuing to work with partners to minimise the opportunities for vehicles to park on the rural freeways.

“This year, we are facing the added challenge of keeping people safe. Our officers were at the site over the weekend engaging, explaining and encouraging people to adhere social distancing rules.

“In line with our approach, which has not changed, enforcement is only used as a last resort and it’s important to stress that officers can only enforce Health Protection Regulations. Government guidance, such as two-metre distancing, is not enforceable.

“If you are thinking about coming to Frensham Ponds, please park appropriately and enjoy the site safely.

"We are now able to spend much more time outdoors but everyone needs to take responsibility for doing that within the restrictions set out by the Government.”

A post on Surrey Police’s Waverley Beat Facebook page on Monday added: “It’s been very busy at Frensham Ponds today, so busy that we have had to shut the roads to help maintain social distancing and emergency access.

“The road closures will be in place for some time yet. If the car park is full, the location is full!”

The police have continued regular patrols at Frensham this week, and anticipate large visitor numbers again this weekend.