Warning as woman ordered to pay false 'fine' in Yorkshire for unnecessary travel

Humberside Police has reassured motorists that it is not stopping vehicles in relation to Covid-19 after a woman was pulled over by two men and ordered to pay £60.

By Ruby Kitchen

Published 27th Mar 2020, 17:14 BST

Updated 27th Mar 2020, 17:15 BST

Humberside Police has reassured motorists that it is not stopping vehicles in relation to Covid-19

The woman reported that she was signalled to pull over on the Leven bypass, in East Yorkshire, on Friday by two men in black zip-up hoodies, carrying walkie talkies and wearing ear pieces, the force said.

A spokesman said the men demanded she pay a £60 on-the-spot fine in cash for unnecessary travel but she refused and they drove off.

Chief Superintendent Darren Downs said: “I would like to make clear that our current approach to new legislation and powers does not involve routinely stopping any vehicles to enquire where people are driving to and if it’s an essential journey.”

Mr Downs said: “There are no check points or stop areas in place, and drivers will not be pulled over by officers to just ask where they are going, unless it is in response to a specific event.”