Interested in advertising with us?

Advertise with us

Subscribe to trusted local news

In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.

  • Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.

Already a subscriber? Log in here.

20

Jan 2021

Last Updated: 20/01/2021
Crime
Crime

Number of lockdown fines increases in North Yorkshire

by Calvin Robinson

| 20 Jan, 2021
Comment

0

North Yorkshire Police revealed today it issued 134 fixed penalty notices during the second week of lockdown, compared with 107 during the first week. But the number handed out in the Harrogate district fell.

police-fines-cropped

The number of fines issued to people for flouting lockdown restrictions in North Yorkshire has increased this week.

North Yorkshire Police revealed today it handed out 134 fixed penalty notices during the second week of lockdown, compared with 107 during the first week.

But the number of fines specifically in the Harrogate district fell from 22 in the first week of lockdown to 12 in the second.

Of that number, eight were for being outside without reasonable excuse, one for an outdoor gathering and three for an indoor gathering.



Police issued 10 of the fines to visitors to the district; two were to local residents.

It comes as the force said it would be tougher enforcing lockdown restrictions and “no longer waste time” with covid rule breakers.



Read more:






Chief inspector Charlotte Bloxham said today it was disappointing to see the rise in fines.

She said:

“Many people do understand the seriousness of the situation and are staying at home and saving lives and I’ll say thank you to those people who make daily sacrifices to protect the vulnerable among us.
“However there is a stubborn minority who do not believe the rules apply to them and do not understand the risk they pose to themselves and the wider community.
“That is why when we encounter these people we will take enforcement action against them.”


Last week Superintendent Mike Walker said that the fear of lockdown needed to be restored for people to comply with restrictions.

He said there was less compliance and fear among people under current restrictions compared with the first lockdown last year, which saw streets empty and more businesses close.