What did Priti Patel say in today’s coronavirus press conference?

Home Secretary Priti Patel chaired today's Downing Street press conference.

She was joined by Prof Stephen Powis, medical director for NHS England, and Lynne Owens, director general of the National Crime Agency.
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What happened in today's (April 25) briefing?

Priti Patel chaired the daily briefing from Downing Street, on the day the UK became the fifth country to record over 20,000 coronavirus deaths.

• Priti Patel says criminals are trying to "exploit and capitalise" during the pandemic

Priti Patel said that despite crime overall being down, "the most sophisticated" criminals are seeking to "exploit and capitalise" on the coronavirus pandemic.

The Home Secretary said: "Our world class law enforcement is also adapting and they are on to you."

She spoke of Border Force raid which seized £1m of cocaine concealed in a shipment of face masks as well as websites carrying out phishing scams and selling bogus PPE and test kits.

She also said police have received 1,300 reports of child sexual exploitation.

Among the criminals trying to exploit others were two people allegedly trying to sell unregistered coronavirus testing kits.

She also said losses to coronavirus-related fraud currently stands at £2.4m.

Patel also criticised the "dangerous driving" of a minority of drivers.

She said they are using quiet roads as their "own personal race track".

She said drivers had been clocked at 150mph on the M1 and 134mph in a 40mph zone within London.

• Director general of the National Crime Agency Lynne Owens says “serious and organised criminals are looking to take advantage of these unprecedented time.”
• Priti Patel pays tribute to “the selfless front-line workers who have been struck down" and says their sacrifice "will not be forgotten.”
• Stephen Powis says it is important people continue to adhere to social distancing. He said it would be "foolish" if the UK lost the benefits it has gained in recent weeks.

What happened in yesterday's (April 24) briefing?

• The government reaffirmed the priority to keep social distancing and stop the spread of coronavirus.
• Transport Secretary Grant Shapps urged people to stay at home over what is expected to be another warm and sunny weekend.
• Mr Shapps confirmed the government would keep airport scanning and temperature checks under review, saying the amount of flights coming into the UK is only "about 4 per cent" from prior to the lockdown.
• He spoke of the government's efforts to bring Britons home from oversees, confirming there are "no British holidaymakers stranded on cruise ships anywhere in the world".
• The public was also urged to only "travel if you need to" as the Deputy chief medical officer for England said roads have been busier across the country.
• Dr Jenny Harries said: "It has risen a little bit, just 2 per cent or 3 per cent in the last week. I would just like to reinforce how important it is that we retain that success in reducing the amount of contacts we’re having and our travelling."
• There was talk of when the Prime Minister may return to work with Health Secretary Matt Hancock saying Boris Johnson is "on the mend in a big way". Hancock described the Prime Minister on Friday as being in an "ebullient" state while recovering at his Chequers country retreat, where he is said not to be undertaking official work. Downing Street sources were dismissing reports that Mr Johnson was preparing to return to No 10 as early as Monday, saying a decision was yet to be made. Mr Hancock insisted the PM "has to be better" before returning to Downing Street and refused to get into the "precise timing" of his recovery.
• Around 16,000 coronavirus tests were booked by essential workers via the new online system.

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