Amid the coronavirus crisis, police and pranksters around the world are helping to spread good cheer

In difficult times, people are turning to all sorts of creative methods to bring joy (and a little bit of friendly fear) to those around them.

Exterminate/self-isolate

The public have been warned tougher measures will have to be implemented if people do not adhere to physical distancing rules, but no one expected it to come in the form of extraterrestrial villains.

Residents of Robin Hood’s Bay, near Whitby, were surprised to see a Dalek patrolling the streets telling people to stay indoors.

“By order of the Daleks, all humans must stay indoors, all humans must self-isolate,” the Doctor Who villain screeched as it zoomed along the street.

Ben (@Jamin2g) Things are getting pretty serious. pic.twitter.com/OLc6egO9V5

It is unclear who is behind the creative stunt, which some found amusing, but it brought back scary memories for many fans of the long-running sci-fi series.

One Twitter user wrote: “Am I the only one to feel a genuine shiver of fear watching this? As a child I would most certainly have been hiding behind the sofa. And if a Cyberman came marching down the road, that would be it, I’d be running for my life!”

Tayside police in Scotland shared the video, saying: “Our colleagues in Skaro division have deployed their Direct Action Local Enforcement Kops to ensure everyone is following guidelines about isolation and social distancing.”

Girl thanks hundreds of key workers with personalised display

An eight-year-old girl from Chesterfield has thanked NHS staff and key workers with an elaborate window display featuring hundreds of their names.

Grace Cooper came up with the idea as a way of keeping busy during the lockdown, and, after her mum issued a callout for names on Facebook, they were soon inundated.

She has carefully written each name on a love heart, around a sign that reads: “Not all heroes wear capes.”

Grace said: “It’s to thank all the key workers for going out and risking their lives to save us. I want them all to know they are appreciated and we are grateful to them.”

Her mother, Lauren Liggatt, told the Derbyshire Times: “We’ve got hundreds of names now and I’ve got a huge pile which I need to put up. We’ve filled one window are now moving on to another one.

“Grace is really pleased with it and I am so proud of her. She said she wanted to thank the people who are working to keep us safe and well, and that is so nice of her.”

Police make special visit to birthday boy in lockdown

A four-year-old boy whose birthday celebrations were cancelled because of the coronavirus lockdown was treated to a visit from a local police officer who stopped by to lift his spirits on the big day.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Dexter Lee, with parents Anna and Rob Lee, big brother Freddie and baby brother, Mason, being greeted by Sgt Mark Wilson. Photograph: Merseyside police/PA

Dexter Lee should have been celebrating his birthday on holiday with his family but the trip had to be cancelled when the lockdown came into force.

Unable to see any of his friends or family on the special day, Dexter’s mum, Anna, asked if anyone knew of a police officer who could cheer up her son, who wants to join the force when he is older, with a special wave as they drove past.

Quick guide UK lockdown: what are the coronavirus restrictions? Show Hide What do the restrictions involve? People in the UK will only be allowed to leave their home for the following purposes: Shopping for basic necessities, as infrequently as possible

One form of exercise a day – for example a run, walk, or cycle – alone or with members of your household

Any medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person

Travelling to and from work, but only where this is absolutely necessary and cannot be done from home Police will have the powers to enforce the rules, including through fines and dispersing gatherings. To ensure compliance with the instruction to stay at home, the government will: Close all shops selling non-essential goods, including clothing and electronic stores and other premises including libraries, playgrounds and outdoor gyms, and places of worship

Stop all gatherings of more than two people in public – excluding people you live with

Stop all social events, including weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies, but excluding funerals Parks will remain open for exercise, but gatherings will be dispersed.

To her surprise, Sgt Mark Wilson from Merseyside police, along with the force mascot, Bobby, turned up with a goody bag and a superhero card from Ch Con Andy Cooke especially for Dexter.

Dexter and his big brother, Freddie, even got to sit in the police van, while their grandparents watched from their cars, which were parked nearby.

“The most we were hoping for was for a police officer to drive by and flash the sirens. We are so overwhelmed by the effort the police went to today. It has brought a lot of cheer to us and the whole neighbourhood,” Dexter’s parents said.

Couple stuck in neverending Maldives honeymoon

Hundreds of travellers are still stranded around the world after coronavirus lockdowns came into force – but one honeymooning couple ended up better off than most.

Surrounded by a fleet of staff catering to their every need on a luxury Maldivian resort, Olivia and Raul De Freitas have found themselves on an eternal honeymoon.

Arriving at the Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives resort on 22 March for what was supposed to be a six-night stay, the newlyweds were soon the only two guests left when their home country, South Africa, closed its airports in response to the pandemic and they were unable to leave.

The resort, which hosts up to 180 guests, continued to put on a full performance in the dining hall each night for the pair while nine staff members remained on standby.

Room service checked on them five times a day, while other workers treated the couple to an elaborate candlelit dinner on the beach, they told the New York Times.

They were told they would have to hire a chartered jet with other South Africans stuck in the Maldives in order to get home. But, at a cost of a $104,000, they decided to stay put.

They have now been transferred to another luxury resort, along with other South Africans in the region, with a large proportion of their costs subsidised. However, their return date remains unknown.

• This article was amended on 7 April 2020 to correct the picture caption.