Scarborough and Whitby MP appalled at illegal gatherings in towns

The MP for Scarborough and Whitby says he is angry about illegal gatherings in those towns over recent weeks.

Author: Karen LiuPublished 11th Feb 2021

The MP for Scarborough and Whitby says he is angry about illegal gatherings in those towns over recent weeks.

We told you yesterday how police raided two premises, which have held alcohol licences, over the weekend.

They handed out 12 fines to groups of people who were found inside drinking, watching rugby, and playing pool.

Robert Goodwill said:

"I'm absolutely appalled that people are so blatantly breaching the rules and letting everybody down when the rest of us are being very careful but, we see these situation in premises that have been licenced which jeopardises the whole campaign to get the level of disease down. As well as that, police are getting reports of similar situations happening in private homes; people meeting together, drinking and watching sport on TV, so there's a small minority of people who don't think the rules apply to them.

"When you stand before the licencing committee at the council, you have to make several undertakings like 'you will comply with the strict rules we have on licenced premises', so I suspect that the individuals involved may find they may have difficulties when they come to renew their licences.

"I hope the licencing committee at Scarborough Borough Council look at these situations to see if the people who organise these events, or allow these events to happen, are fit people to hold the responsibility as a licencee.

"It's obviously very hard to keep these sorts of events a secret as people have phones. The message is not just to licencees, who generally have behaved very responsibly, but individuals. The rules apply to everybody. Don't think well just because my mate pops round to have a drink or to watch a football game on the TV, this applies to you."

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