Number of fines issued for illegal gatherings in North Yorkshire shoots up as restrictions relax

Chief Inspector Charlotte Bloxham said that 34 fixed penalty notices were issued in the last seven days, more than four times the week previous.

Of these 27 were issued in the Scarborough borough.

Chief Inspector Bloxham told a meeting of the North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum that people must stick to the rules after the increase in rule breaking.

She said: “This is disappointing considering last week we had cause to issue just seven notices. The majority of these latest fines were issued for indoor gatherings in the Scarborough area with three issued in York and four issued in Harrogate.

“We understand that people are desperate to see family and friends but we asked that just like the vast majority of the people across North Yorkshire that you please adhere to the regulations that prevent indoor gatherings until the roadmap out of lockdown has succeeded and we are free to meet up once again.

“The virus is much more likely to spread in an indoor setting and that is why it is so important to keep following the health protection regulations and the guidance around washing hands, wearing face coverings, maintaining social distancing and accessing fresh air.”

It was also confirmed today that there had been “no significant issues” recorded at any of the county’s licensed premises since pubs and restaurants were able to re-open with outdoor seating earlier this month.