Dating advice from Bilbao Local Police

The northern region has stopped anyone from leaving their town until at least November 9, in the hope that drastic measures now will allow more freedom later, especially over Christmas.

Certain exceptions are in place, such as those who need to leave their home towns for work, care duties, emergencies, medical appointments or to go to the pharmacy.

As these differ from region to region – in some, such as the Comunidad Valenciana and the Balearic Islands, there are no restrictions at all on leaving one's home town – police forces have been inundated with queries on social media.

Officers' services to the public are many and varied, but it has only just come to light that one of these is relationship advice.

Bilbao resident Íñigo Balenciaga tweeted his local force saying he had been 'chaste' for many weeks, but that he was just getting to know someone living in the next town.

“Can I go there to satisfy my needs?” he asked.

He received a caring and thoughtful reply from @Bilbao_Polizia, an example of how Spain's forces are human beneath the uniform and like to treat their public as individuals with feelings.

“Good evening. We understand your situation, but practices of this nature are not included in the exceptional circumstances that allow travel between towns,” said the response.

“Treat this as the first love-test in your possible new relationship. We wish you lots of luck. Best regards.”

The above photograph shows two of Bilbao's Local Police officers along with two agents from the Ertzaintza, the Basque Country's answer to the Guardia Civil.