North Yorkshire Police has so far issued 1,151 fixed penalty notices to people who have breached coronavirus restrictions.
The figure was revealed at North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s public accountability meeting yesterday.
The meeting, which was broadcast on YouTube, also revealed the county’s police force has so far only issued five fixed penalty notices to people who refused to self-isolate.
NYP chief constable Lisa Winward said the “vast majority” of fines were issued during the start of lockdown when police found people taking non-essential journeys, which was a breach of restrictions at the time.
NYP chief constable Lisa Winward.
Under coronavirus legislation, the police have the power to issue £60 fixed penalty notices to anyone breaching restrictions. The sum is reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days.
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The police have adopted a ‘four Es’ approach to coronavirus; engage, explain, encourage and, as a last resort, enforcement.
Chief constable Winward said:
“We adopt and engage with the community to explain to them what the guidance is, we then encourage people to follow that guidance or legislation.
“It’s only as an absolutely last resort we would move to an enforcement outcome for that person because they absolutely refuse to take that advice and are therefore putting other members of the public at risk of spreading the infection.”
