Police are still urging people to stay away from North Yorkshire despite being six weeks into lockdown

Tourists planning a trip to Yorkshire’s beauty spots over the Bank Holiday weekend are being warned it would “put the people who make them special at risk”.

In an open letter, North Yorkshire Police & Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan urged people to stay away from the area this weekend, with the force still having to remind people of the restrictions despite being six weeks into lockdown.

It comes as figures last week showed the police force was the sixth highest for fines issued to those found flouting the lockdown rules, while the force said earlier this week that it had caught people who had travelled from as far as London and Essex.

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Despite news that Prime Minister Boris Johnson is to announce gradual easing of restrictions on Sunday, rules will still be in place this weekend.

The public are being urged not to make unessential trips to North Yorkshire's coasts this Bank Holiday weekendThe public are being urged not to make unessential trips to North Yorkshire's coasts this Bank Holiday weekend
The public are being urged not to make unessential trips to North Yorkshire's coasts this Bank Holiday weekend

Ms Mulligan said: “Every week Assistant Chief Constable Mike Walker, our Gold commander leading the response to COVID-19, pleads with people to remain in the safest place for them, and for others – at home. Every week, on Monday, he has to report how the brave police officers and staff across the county have got out there, virus notwithstanding, to engage and encourage people to go home - and take enforcement action if they don’t.”

North Yorkshire Police issued 458 fines between March 27 and April 27, just two less than neighbouring West Yorkshire Police.

The force also revealed yesterday that it had received an increase in reports of people visiting the coastal town of Filey, and subsequent patrols resulted in a 42-year-old man from Hull being arrested on suspicion of possession of cannabis and driving under influence of drugs.

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Two penalty tickets for breach of lockdown regulations were also issued because the man and a female adult passenger were travelling from Hull with two children in the car, to walk the dog on Filey beach.

North Yorkshire Police has been putting up signs urging people to stay away from the region's beauty spots this Bank Holiday weekendNorth Yorkshire Police has been putting up signs urging people to stay away from the region's beauty spots this Bank Holiday weekend
North Yorkshire Police has been putting up signs urging people to stay away from the region's beauty spots this Bank Holiday weekend

Addressing those thinking of visiting Yorkshire’s beauty spots while restrictions remain in place, Ms Mulligan added: “It is no surprise you are thinking of travelling to see us given our beautiful coastline, stunning countryside and historic towns and villages.

“All of those will still be here when all this is over, but if you travel here you could put the people who make those places special at risk.”