Crackdown on covid rule-breakers as North Yorkshire Police issue over 100 fines

Fines were issued to both residents of the county and visitors, with 33 being issued to people from West Yorkshire crossing the county border to take exercise.

107 fixed penalty notices have been issued since last Monday’s lockdown announcement, more than twice the amount of the number given out in the first week of the first lockdown.

Scarborough saw the highest number of fines given, with 49 penalties issued.

58 notices were given to people breaking restrictions outdoors, and 49 were given to those breaking restrictions indoors.

And NHS bosses also revealed concerns that door-to-door criminals are targeting elderly and vulnerable residents by pretending to be staff delivering the vaccine.

The figures come as police pleaded with the public to not travel to beauty spots for exercise, and to remain in their towns and villages.

And a police chief said that his officers will be quicker to enforce and fine people breaking the rules than they have been previously.

Supt Mike Walker said: “There are sadly a minority of people who do not think they should change their lives in order to save others.

“Just this weekend officers across the Craven district told me they were run off their feet explaining why people shouldn’t be coming to beauty spots.

“Some people were travelling forty or fifty miles to come out and look at the snow, or have a ride out in the countryside.

“These people either do not understand the impact of their actions, or they simply don’t care, which is really disappointing.

“As this crisis deepens, we must start to move more quickly to enforcement. The rules are simple and clear, and we all know why they’re in place.

“We will not waste time reasoning with people who have no regard for the safety of others.”

On Tuesday, the National Police Chiefs Council said almost 45,000 fines have been issued to people across the UK for breaching Covid-19 laws.