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Mar 2020

Last Updated: 24/03/2020

Harrogate district police will enforce coronavirus lockdown with £1,000 fines

by Connor

| 24 Mar, 2020

The police will be able to fine people up to £1,000 and disperse any gatherings of more than two people from Thursday

North Yorkshire is bracing for the coronavirus impact.

Police in the Harrogate district have insisted that they will enforce the coronavirus lockdown with fines up to £1,000 if people are caught flouting the restrictions from Thursday.

As of last night, people will only be permitted to go outside to shop for food or medicine, to exercise once a day and to travel to and from essential work.

Prime minister Boris Johnson also said that the police will be able to fine people between £30 and £1,000 and disperse any gatherings of more than two people - excluding those from the same household.

There is still some confusion about when and how the police will be able to enforce the rules. North Yorkshire Police said today that it was working to "obtain the details of the new legislation as it becomes available."

Assistant Chief Constable Mike Walker is leading North Yorkshire Police’s response to the outbreak.

“The new and significant restrictions announced by the Prime Minister on Monday evening spell out very clearly what each and every one of us must do to save lives. The message is clear and the warning stark. Stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.

“These are the lives of the people we know and love. Our partners, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, children, grandparents. You may never be in such a position again where your simple actions will lead directly to saving lives.

“Alongside the new restrictions, the Government announced new powers to enforce them. I know the vast majority of people will follow the restrictions without question, as they have done so already and we will work with local communities to help reinforce the message should it be necessary.

“We sincerely hope that we will not have to resort to enforcement measures, but if we have to, we will. In the meantime, we are working with national police colleagues and the Government to obtain the details of the new legislation as it becomes available.

“Please continue to look after each other, try and make the most of the time spent with your loved ones, and remember we are here for you if you need us.”

The Police Chief Constable, Police and Crime Commissioner, and the Chief Fire Officer also released a joint statement on new measures to stop the spread of coronavirus today.

“It is our job to keep North Yorkshire safe and we can only do that if you follow the instruction to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.

“We know the vast majority of you have already been taking action to stop the spread of Coronavirus, and we thank you for those efforts. But some have not – and the crowds we saw in some parts of North Yorkshire this weekend illustrated that all too clearly.

“Now there is no ambiguity, there can be no question – if you do not need to be outside for an essential reason, to buy food or medicine or to exercise once a day, you must stay at home.

“Anyone who thinks this does not apply to them is putting lives at risk. North Yorkshire Police will use all powers we have to stop that, to keep us all safe and to ultimately save lives.

“Our emergency services will be here to protect you throughout this national emergency. We know these are unsettling times. They are unprecedented times. But across North Yorkshire we stand together, and together we’ll get through it.”

At 1.30pm today, the police will hold a "public accountability meeting" live on YouTube to focus on the county's reaction to the coronavirus pandemic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ea4Y_6qjsWM