Drone pilots, campers and mostly men: North Yorkshire Police release data on lockdown breakers

The force area is the largest in England and includes 55 miles of coastline, two National Parks and the city of York.

Since April 2, 153 fines have been issued to people involved in 101 separate incidents of lockdown breaking in the county, with many of them having driven to North Yorkshire from elsewhere.

Many of those apprehended were from the neighbouring counties of West Yorkshire and Cleveland, but some had travelled from as far afield as London on non-essential trips.

Police officers have fined people having barbecues, getting drunk on Scarborough seafront, flying drones, camping and buying TVs.

The warm Easter weekend saw a particular surge in offences, with 93 of the 153 fines issued over the four-day holiday. Over 2,000 members of the public have reported instances of lockdown breaking.

Ten parents have been fined on behalf of children under 18.

The worst examples of lockdown breaking

- Four men from London were stopped in a car and issued with a fine after they claimed to have travelled to York to buy a car

- Two women from South Yorkshire were fined after driving a 200-mile round trip as they wanted to fly a drone at the seaside

- Two men from West Yorkshire were fined after travelling to North Yorkshire to buy a second-hand TV

- In the Scarborough area several people were fined after numerous people from different households gathered at a public place to have a barbecue

- A group of three men on Scarborough seafront were found to be intoxicated

- A couple from West Yorkshire were found camping near a village in the North York Moors

Where were the fines given out?

Craven - 20

Hambleton - 25

Harrogate - six

Richmondshire - six

Ryedale - five

Scarborough - 44

Selby - 15

York - 32

Where did the offenders come from?

57 per cent of the offenders were residents of North Yorkshire.

18 per cent of the fines were issued to residents of West Yorkshire and 11 per cent to people from Cleveland.

There were also offenders from London, Durham, Lancashire, Humberside, Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire and Cheshire.

Who were they?

The gender split is significant - 126 of those who were fined were men, with only 27 female offenders.

The age group to receive the most fines was 18-25, with 68 penalty notices, closely followed by 26-35 with 49 fines.

Those aged 36-55 were fined 29 times and there were only four fines in the 56-65 age group.

However, three pensioners aged over 65 were subject to enforcement action.

What do the police say?

Assistant Chief Constable Mike Walker said that there were noticeable local differences in the offending patterns, with all of the fines issued in the Yorkshire Dales National Park being to visitors and the majority of those fined on the coast being residents.

“Since day one we have maintained our neighbourhood policing approach during the Covid-19 response, focusing on what has become known as the three ‘Es’ strategy - engage, explain and encourage people to adhere to the restrictions, using enforcement as a last resort. We have also made it clear across our public messaging that we would take this approach so that people are in no doubt, and although we would prefer not to, we are not afraid to use enforcement if we have to," he said.

“We have also maintained some of the lowest staff absence levels across the country, enabling us to increase our capacity and redirect resources towards frontline policing. This has subsequently increased patrols and police visibility, resulting in greater engagement activity.

“Most people understand the gravity of the situation we face, most people are moved by the tragic stories we have seen, and most people have stayed at home.

“Yes there have been pockets of breaches across the county, but the majority of people have listened. Each area is different and each area brings its own challenges, for example, all of the fines issued in the Craven area, the home of the Yorkshire Dales, were issued to visitors, whereas in Scarborough and York, the majority of fines were issued to residents.

“I would like to reiterate my thanks to everyone who continues to stay at home. We will get through this, and we will continue to work together to protect the NHS and save lives.”

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