Police have warned motorists that they are cracking down on those who are driving at "highly-excessive speeds" on the near-empty Harrogate district roads.

During the coronavirus pandemic, North Yorkshire Police has seen more people risk their lives by using their phones while driving or by speeding on key routes.

Officers believe that less traffic on the road is encouraging some drivers and motorcyclists to flout the law and drive unsafely.

They are urging motorists not to tie up valuable police or NHS resources by committing “dangerous but preventable” offences.

Assistant Chief Constable Mike Walker said: “These actions can have fatal consequences which tie up emergency service and medical resources at a time when they are needed most.

“We have a duty to uphold the law and keep our roads safe for everyone, regardless of the wider situation nationally. And we continue to uphold that duty of care to prevent casualties or fatalities."

"Let me be very clear – motorcyclists and drivers should be staying at home unless their journey falls into one of the essential criteria outlined by the government.”