Passengers who crowded on to trains to escape the tightening of Covid-19 restrictions in London have been branded “totally irresponsible” by the Health Secretary.

Matt Hancock condemned the busy scenes on Saturday night which came after the Prime Minister announced tougher coronavirus measures for the capital.

Extra police officers are to be deployed to enforce travel rules at London’s stations, with the public being urged to adhere to Government guidance.

The packed out trains came after Boris Johnson placed millions of people living in Tier 3 parts of London, the South-east and East of England in a new Tier 4.

The changes, which came into force at midnight on Saturday, mean households mixing over Christmas is banned, travel into or out of Tier 4 areas is only permitted for very limited reasons and overnight stays away from home are largely prohibited.

Appearing on the BBC’s The Andrew Marr Show on Sunday, Mr Hancock said: “I think those scenes were totally irresponsible.

“We have all got a responsibility.

“We in Government of course have a responsibility, but so does every single person.

“The plea that I have is that people will play their part, because it is only by acting, all of us, that we can get this under control.”

In a statement, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said it was “incredibly important” that people followed guidance, stayed at home and did not try to travel.

He added: “If you are in Tier 4, the law means you must stay at home and you cannot stay overnight away from home.

“Across the rest of the country, you must stay local.

“Follow the guidance and please do not come to a station unless you are permitted to travel.

“Extra BTP (British Transport Police) officers are being deployed to ensure only those who need to take essential journeys can travel safely.”