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.

A breakdown of the number of fines issued by North Yorkshire Police for lockdown breaches since January 12. Data: North Yorkshire Police.

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:

• Lockdown fear needs to be restored, says senior police officer
• North Yorkshire Police pledge to get tougher on covid rule breakers

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.

North Yorkshire Police has issued a £1,000 fixed penalty notice for a breach of coronavirus regulations at a hotel in Harrogate on New Year’s Eve.

Last week the Stray Ferret published claims that Harrogate hotelier Simon Cotton flouted covid restrictions by holding a party for himself and 10 friends at the Yorkshire Hotel on New Year’s Eve. Mr Cotton has consistently denied the allegations.

The Stray Ferret spoke to multiple sources who allege the party ate on a single table, did not observe social distancing and that speakers were brought in to play music with bar staff on hand to serve drinks into the early hours of the morning.

The party stayed in the hotel overnight and new staff were then brought in to serve the group breakfast on New Year’s Day.

Our sources say some staff were extremely unhappy at being asked to work but feared for their jobs if they refused.

North Yorkshire Police issued the following statement today:

“An investigation into an alleged breach of coronavirus regulations at a hotel in Harrogate on New Year’s Eve has now concluded. As a result, North Yorkshire Police have issued the person responsible for the venue with a fixed penalty notice of £1,000 fine.”

Government covid legislation gives police powers to issue a £1,000 fixed penalty notice for business-related breaches. This is increased to £2,000, £4,000, and £10,000 for repeat offences.

Read more:

• Claims well-known Harrogate hotelier held illegal New Year’s Eve party

• Police investigating alleged illegal New Year’s Eve party at Harrogate hotel

• HRH Group silent on illegal party allegations at the Yorkshire Hotel

The Stray Ferret contacted the HRH Group, which owns the Yorkshire Hotel as well as the Fat Badger and the White Hart Hotel, and Mr Cotton for a response but we had not received one by the time of publication.

Mr Cotton has continued to be active on Twitter since the Stray Ferret story broke, including a retweet that paid tribute to the NHS. He has also posted pictures of himself delivering food to customers from the Fat Badger.

Two men have been arrested today after a man was robbed at knifepoint in Ripon yesterday.

North Yorkshire Police said the victim was walking on Bondgate at about 5.30pm yesterday when four men approached and threatened him with a knife.

They stole his belongings and then followed him home and forced him to let them in. Once inside, the four robbers stole a number of other items then escaped down Aismunderby Road.

Police said a 20-year-old man from Ripon and a 19-year-old from Harrogate were arrested by police at about 10am today in connection with the robbery.

Both men are currently in police custody.

Police are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or has information that could help with the investigation to call 101 and quote reference number 12210027815.

Read more:

• Ripon police received several reports in one day last week after numerous young people broke lockdown to attack residents.
• Man left with broken nose after being assaulted on Ripon street.

Police arrested two suspected drug dealers in Harrogate on Friday.

According to North Yorkshire Police, plain clothes officers became suspicious when they saw two men travelling through the town at 5.30pm and stopped their car.

A search of the vehicle discovered what the police believe to be cocaine and cash. The officers then arrested the two men, aged 22 and 38. It is not known where the men live.

Read more:

• Jail for ‘prolific’ Harrogate drug dealer
• Ripon youths break lockdown rules to attack residents

Police then searched the suspects’ homes and seized a “large amount” of what they believe to be cocaine and a “large amount” of cash.

Officers also seized small bags, scales and a mobile phone.

Both men have been released under investigation on suspicion of possessing cocaine with intent to supply.

The police also arrested the 22-year-old on suspicion of possessing criminal property.

Fear needs to be put back into the public to bring coronavirus rates down during lockdown, the police officer leading North Yorkshire’s response to covid said yesterday.

Superintendent Mike Walker 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.

His comments came after North Yorkshire Police said it will come down harder on covid rule breakers. The force also revealed it had issued 107 fines in the first week of the third lockdown — more than double the amount in the first week of the first lockdown.

Superintendent Walker told a meeting of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel that the force has had to “put back that fear” into communities for them to understand the risk of flouting covid rules.

He said:

“Unfortunately, that fear needs to be put back into the public for them to understand there is a reason why this lockdown is here because of the rates, the excess deaths and the number of people going into hospital on a daily basis.

“Until we see the impact of the national lockdown, you will not see that curve flattening and going down again.

“It’s not ideal that we want to put fear into the communities, but they need to understand the risk that is associated to them.”

Superintendent Walker said the messaging was not scaremongering as the figures in the county are so high. Currently, the North Yorkshire seven-day covid rate is 380 people per 100,000.

He added it was “sad to see” a lack of compliance when North Yorkshire had some of the highest rates in all of Yorkshire.

Read more:

• Coronavirus surge forces Harrogate hospital to postpone surgeries
• North Yorkshire Police pledge to get tougher on covid rule breakers

Of the 107 fixed penalty notices issued in North Yorkshire during the third lockdown, 57 were to people from outside the county and 50 were to those living in the county. Harrogate police issued 10 fines.

Superintendent Walker said on Wednesday (January 13) officers would “no longer waste time” reasoning with people who flout the rules and “have no regard for the safety of others”.

Meanwhile, Julia Mulligan, North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, said the rules of the lockdown were clear.

She said:

“The rules and regulations are already very clear but there is a significant minority who seem to think they don’t apply to them. 

“The message is simple – stay at home apart from for very specific reasons. Those reasons do not include taking a day trip to North Yorkshire from elsewhere, or travelling to a different part of North Yorkshire if you live here.

“Exercise should be taken close to your home, not close to other people’s homes far from yours in communities who are doing all they can to stop the spread.”

A man has died after an incident at a building site in Ripon.

North Yorkshire Police issued a brief statement this afternoon confirming the news. It said:

“Police were called to a report of an industrial incident in Ripon at about 10.30am on Wednesday.

“A man was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. Enquiries are ongoing jointly with the Health and Safety Executive.”

A member of the public contacted the Stray Ferret on Wednesday saying Harrogate Road in Ripon was closed and a large number of police, fire engines and ambulances were in attendance.

The police initially declined to reveal any information but today confirmed a man, who has not been named, had died.

No further details about the incident have been released.

Read more:

• No suspicious circumstances in Pateley Bridge couple’s death
• Four covid deaths in three days at Harrogate hospital

Scammers pretending to be police officers are targeting local residents for money.

North Yorkshire Police said today it had received reports from people who had been called by a man claiming to be a police officer.

The bogus officer told the people they called that one of their relatives was in police custody and that this person was in possession of their bank and credit cards.

The victims were then asked to immediately call their bank or the police on 911 to verify this was genuine, using the same phone and without waiting for a dial tone.

Fake officer names have included Detective Matthews, DI Stevens and DC Winston.

Six cases have been reported to the police and so far none have resulted in a loss of money.

Read more:

• Police appeal for help after fraudsters steal from elderly woman in Summerbridge. 
• Police ask residents to be vigilant following reports of a scam involving delivery fraud.

Police are urging people to hang up if they’re suspicious and to use a different line if they need to call the police or bank.

They added that officers and banks would never contact people to move or transfer money.

Last year North Yorkshire Police financial abuse safeguarding officer, Andy Fox, released the following statement about a similar scam:

“Everyone believes they won’t fall victim to a scammer but these individuals are experienced professionals who know every trick in the book to gain your trust.

“A police officer will never get in touch and advise you to move, transfer or pay money and neither will a bank or building society. If you receive a call out of the blue offering money or security advice, be very suspicious and do not give the caller any personal or account details.

The police have encouraged anyone caught out by this scam to report it to the force on 101.

North Yorkshire Police has today pledged to get tougher on people breaking lockdown rules and “no longer waste time” with covid rule breakers.

Superintendent Mike Walker, gold commander for the police response in the county to covid, said officers had dealt with cases of people coming from outside the county to beauty spots and others holding birthday parties.

He said while those flouting lockdown rules were in the minority, police would come down harder on those found breaking restrictions.

Superintendent Walker told a press briefing of the North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, which is a partnership of emergency agencies:

“We will no longer waste time reasoning with people who do not have regard for the safety of others.

“This is not just down to the police, this is a matter of personal responsibility. Everyone should ask themselves ‘do I need to make this journey’. If the answer is no, then stay at home.”

Since the start of the new national lockdown, police have issued a total of 107 fixed penalty notices – more than double that in the first week of the lockdown in March when 46 were handed out.

Read more:

• Coronavirus surge forces Harrogate hospital to postpone surgeries
• Health bosses urge patience on covid vaccine as 76 further cases confirmed
• Police consider ‘covid cars’ as part of enforcement

Of the amount handed out so far, 57 were to people outside North Yorkshire and 50 were to those living in the county.

Police issued 58 fines for people being outside with no reasonable excuse and 49 for indoor gatherings.

A total of 10 have so far been handed out by Harrogate police — all for being outside without good reason.

Yesterday, Mark Hewitt, chair of the National Police Chiefs Council, said he “made no apology” for the almost 45,000 fixed penalty notices for covid breaches with have been handed out nationally.

He said:

“It is very clear that we are now at the most dangerous stage of the pandemic.

“There is a real and present risk that our health service could be overwhelmed and people – our friends and family – could die needlessly from this virus.

“So, we must all play a part in stopping that from happening.”

Fraudsters pretending to be from a disability service stole three bank cards from a woman in her 80s in Summerbridge.

Police in Harrogate today issued a CCTV appeal to find the man and woman responsible.

The suspects took three bank cards and subsequently made fraudulent transactions in Ripon and Darlington.

The incident occurred on Hartwith Bank at around 4.45pm on October 14.

A North Yorkshire Police statement said:

“We are appealing for information which will help to identify the suspects, including anyone who recognises the person in the CCTV image, which is from TK Maxx in Darlington around an hour after the incident.

Read more:

• Man jailed for breaking police officer’s leg and threatening ex-partner
• Police arrest suspected cocaine dealers after chase in Harrogate

Anyone with information can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Katie Bell.

You can also email katarina.bell@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12200181553.

Police have arrested two suspected cocaine dealers after a chase in Harrogate.

North Yorkshire Police said officers on patrol followed a car on Leeds Road travelling towards Harrogate last night.

When the vehicle stopped the passenger ran off, discarding a large amount of suspected cocaine and a mobile phone.

Following a short chase on foot he was found to be in possession of £700.

The pair from Leeds, aged 28 and 44 were both arrested on suspicion of possessing class A drugs with intent to supply.

The driver was also arrested on suspicion of drug driving after a roadside drugs test showed a positive result.

Read more:

• Police drugs bust near Harrogate’s Valley Gardens
• Police to challenge rule breakers on Harrogate district roads and beauty spots

Both men have since been released while under investigation to allow for further enquiries.

Detective Sergeant Marcus Dawson, of Harrogate police’s Operation Expedite team, which deals with county lines drug dealers, said:

“We are sending a clear message to the drug peddling fraternity that despite lockdown, it’s business as usual when it comes to disrupting drug dealing and the misery it causes.

“We urge members of the public to keep on reporting suspicious activity to us, we are still here and still need you to report information to us.

“If you prefer not to talk to us, remember you can report information to Crimestoppers anonymously.”

The police urged people to report signs of drug dealing, including ‘cuckooing’ – where drug dealers take over a vulnerable person’s house.

The signs to look out for include an increase callers at a property, an increase in cars pulling up for short periods of time, different accents at a property and windows covered or curtains closed for long periods.

Anyone with information can call North Yorkshire Police on 101. If you wish to remain anonymous, you call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.