Group of cyclists drinking in a beer garden in York among the latest batch of lockdown breakers

Officers have spoken to several groups of friends and family members from different households who have gathered to socialise, and have also intercepted vehicles containing people from outside the area who had no reasonable excuse for visiting Yorkshire.

They have fined a group of nine men who had travelled from Bradford to Malham in the Yorkshire Dales late on Sunday night. They were caught shortly before midnight and the group, aged between 22 and 41, could not provide an acceptable explanation for being in the village.

Also on Sunday, seven men from York aged between 18 and 45 were fined after police found them drinking alcohol in the beer garden of a closed pub after a cycle ride.

Three men from Merseyside who were stopped in their car on the A1 were also fined as their journey was not deemed to be essential.

Another group of adults spotted together in York city centre on April 20 were also fines after ignoring advice from police to return home.

Three men from West Yorkshire aged between 30 and 48 were all fined when the car they were travelling in was stopped on the A64 in North Yorkshire after travelling through Merseyside, Staffordshire and Derbyshire earlier that day.

North Yorkshire Police have already released statistics on the number of fixed penalty notices they have handed out to people breaking lockdown restrictions.

Over 150 fines have been issued to far in April, and at least 126 were to men. The age group with the most offenders is 18-35.

Those reprimanded included drone pilots, campers, seafront drinkers, groups having barbecues and people travelling into the area to view second-hand goods for sale, such as cars and TVs.

Assistant Chief Constable Mike Walker said:

“The majority of people in North Yorkshire can be proud of what they have done to help slow the spread of the virus and save lives. But sadly our officers have come across a minority who, despite all the publicity and the clear messages about the danger posed by this virus, believe the rules don’t apply to them.

“Although there are indications that the spread of COVID-19 maybe slowing, the government has made it clear that the fight against this virus is not. If you choose to ignore the advice and meet up with friends or family or travel unnecessarily, you are jeopardising all the progress we have made and you are putting more lives at risk, including the lives of your parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters and children.

“We urge you to think twice before you go out, follow the Government’s restrictions and do not meet up with friends and family that you do not live with. Our task remains unchanged, and as we head into the weekend, there’ll be more officers out on high-visibility patrols who will continue to engage, explain and encourage members of the public to follow the guidance. Please be aware that although we continue to take this approach, we are not afraid to use the legislative powers if we have to.”