More than 200 second homes were reported to police amongst 2,318 complaints made about Cornwall's businesses during the coronavirus lockdown.

The figures relate to the period between lockdown measures beginning in March through to May 26.

Cornwall Council's public protection officers responded to 157 requests for compliance information and 2,318 complaints.

The vast majority of these related to holiday lets and Airbnb, with 1,459 of the total complaints made about this sector.

A further 277 complaints were about holiday caravan and camping parks, 72 about hotels and B&Bs, 314 about non-food businesses, 80 about cafes, restaurants and takeaways, 61 about pubs, 34 about shops and 22 about construction work.

Approximately 300 holiday accommodation businesses were found to be already closed, or agreed to close on the first contact by the council.

However, 60 only closed after follow up visits and further enforcement action by council officers, and formal closure notices had to be served on three, forcing them to shut.

A total of 76 people returned home from holiday lets after investigation.

Of those found to be open legally, under permitted exemptions, reasons included people living in them permanently, people not being able to return home and housing key workers. On every claim council officers asked for evidence to support this.

Cornwall Council has enforcement powers to close businesses, including holiday accommodation, but has no powers to force people to leave their second homes.

Non-essential travel contraventions, including to second homes, are enforced by Devon and Cornwall Police. A total of 217 second homes were referred to police.

From the overall number of complaints, 389 businesses across the spectrum closed on first contact with council officers, while 48 closed after investigation

A total of 811 were found to be compliant with Covid rules, with 497 people having valid reasons to be open.

There were 281 cases of social distancing advice given.

The figures have been set out in a briefing for Cornwall Council members by the county's 'Covid-19 Enforcement Cell,' which was set up earlier in the year in order that all organisations providing enforcement had the same approach.

In briefing Cornwall is identified as being “unique geographically” as it is the only county to be bordered by just one other, as well as being surrounded by sea on three sides, making it an “attractive destination for tourism”.

It has high numbers of holiday accommodation, with one of the challenges being set out as: “Cornwall is at risk of an influx of holiday makers who could place a significant burden upon health services or be carries of Covid-19 upon arrival within Cornwall.”

Another challenge was “Hostility towards second home owners and tourists visiting during the lockdown, from local residents.”