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A trio of youngsters breaking coronavirus lockdown rules have been caught out by a police helicopter’s night-vision cameras.

The footage shows the group – aged 19, 20 and 21 – casually sitting on the rooftop in Palm Beach, Gold Coast, Australia, late on Saturday night.

They appear unaware of a helicopter circling overhead, before a speaker booms a message to them from the skies.

“This is the police, this is the police to the three people sitting on the building rooftop,” the officer says.

“Yes, we can see you – the one with the hoodie in the middle with your cold drinks.

“The building is surrounded by police, we need you to return to the ground floor, return to the bottom immediately, please.

(Image: QUEENSLAND POLICE)

“Put your hand out to your right side so I know you understand.”

They then make their way down the steps where they are greeted by two police officers.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports the trio were charged with trespassing.

They were also charged with breaching novel coronavirus restrictions and fined $1,334 (£678).

In addition to the two main offences, the men aged 19 and 20 were also charged with drug possession offences and were due to appear in the Coolangatta Magistrates Court on July 27.

“This is a textbook example of a breach where there has been a total and blatant disregard for not only the law, but also the direction of the chief health officer’s directions,” Gold Coast District Chief Superintendent Mark Wheeler said.

(Image: QUEENSLAND POLICE)

Australia has 6,625 confirmed cases of coronavirus, with 71 deaths – markedly less than most of Europe and the US.

Like much of the world, the country has enforced rules that people should only leave their homes for essential travel.

But, with the spread in the country starting slow, certain areas have reopened.

Sydney has opened its beaches leading hundreds to flock there to catch some sun.