1151 Coronavirus Fines Issued In North Yorkshire Since Lockdown Began
Chief Constable Lisa Winward says North Yorkshire Police have issued 1,151 fines relating to Coronavirus since the start of lockdown.
North Yorkshire Police says fines must be issued to those who break Coronavirus rules.
It's as Chief Constable, Lisa Winward, was asked why haven't people been cautioned like they do for more serious crimes.
She said:
"The legislation that relates to public health and Covid-19, the enforcement method is by way of a fixed penalty notice.
"So there isn't actually a caution available in the same way that there would be for an investigation of some other crimes.
"Since the very start of lockdown on the 23rd of March, North Yorkshire Police have issued 1,151 fixed penalty notices in total.
"The vast majority of them were at the very start of the lockdown and we saw a vast number of people making non-essential journeys.
"Only five of those fixed penalty notices have actually been for people refusing to isolate.
"We would absolutely adopt the four E's approach of trying to encourage, engage with, and explain to people first and those notices have only been issued where people have refused to abide by the guidance and legislation."