Group of 11 people fined for travelling from Manchester to Whitby
A group of 11 people travelling from Manchester to Whitby at the weekend made up part of a record-breaking week for Covid-19 fines handed out by North Yorkshire Police.
Last updated 10th Feb 2021
A group of 11 people travelling from Manchester to Whitby at the weekend made up part of a record-breaking week for Covid-19 fines handed out by North Yorkshire Police.
In the last week, 169 fixed penalty notices were issued in the county, an increase of 26 on the previous seven days.
Scarborough borough again was the worst offender with 76 fines dispensed, York was second with 37 followed by Craven with 21.
Superintendent Mike Walker, North Yorkshire Police lead for the force’s Covid-19 response, warned people to “not to travel to the coast” with half-term approaching.
Speaking at a meeting of North Yorkshire’s Local Resilience Forum this morning, he said that the snow that blanketed the county this week did not reduce the amount of breaches.
He said:
“Sadly, the weather did not seem to put anyone off. We are still dealing with people travelling long distances, making irresponsible visits and journeys in North Yorkshire.
“Over the weekend we had a group of 11 people travel from Manchester to Whitby to look at Whitby Abbey, people from Lancashire and Liverpool coming to the Dales and, sadly, a couple of incidents where some pubs decided it would be a good idea to open their doors and welcome customers in to watch rugby or play pool.
“Also house parties continue to be an issue that officers have to deal with.
“I can’t stress enough the risk these people are taking.”
The force has stepped up patrols since last week to try and catch more people who are flouting the lockdown rules.
Seventy the fines issued this week were to people being away from their home without a reason and 71 were for illegal indoor gatherings, Mr Walker added.
Local residents were given 98 fines and visitors to the region 71.