Easter weekend usually marks the start of a very busy summer season across the district, but officers are stressing that making unnecessary journeys could literally mean the difference between life and death.

Police have already stepped up patrols in Harrogate after they’ve seen an increase in the number of people visiting the town and flouting the coronavirus lockdown rules.

Harrogate’s Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Penny Taylor of North Yorkshire Police said:

“Whilst we know the majority of people in the town are doing the right thing and staying at home, despite the beautiful weather, it is unacceptable that some people are showing such a blatant disregard for the Government’s guidance.

North Yorkshire Police said it was disappointing and meant the force would be stepping up patrols elsewhere in the area, so increased police presence should be expected over the Easter weekend.

Guidelines state people should stay at home except to buy food or medicines, or go to work.

Richard Flinton, chair of the multi-agency North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum and chief executive of North Yorkshire County Council, said:

“The next few weeks are critical in the nation’s fight to slow the rate of infection of this very dangerous virus.  We all have our part to play and what we do now will have a bearing on whether more people die or whether lives are spared. If we act irresponsibly more people will die.  The instruction is to exercise from your doorstep once a day and not to travel to other places for this.”

North Yorkshire Police’s Traffic Bureaus are also urging drivers not to use the county’s roads as a racetrack, having recorded speeds of up to 132mph over the past two weeks. Police patrols and safety camera vans, which are operated by key-worker police staff rather than officers, have been used at key locations to try to prevent further casualties and protect valuable emergency service and NHS resources.

A reminder has been issued to cyclists to follow social distancing guidelines as more and more people take to two wheels for exercise.

A combination of lighter nights and improved weather has seen the number of cyclists increase significantly over the last fortnight. That has also been boosted by the number of vehicles on the roads falling to 1955 levels, according to data released last week.

Some cyclists have come under fire for leaving their local area, with a sign being put up in Huby this week warning cyclists not to risk spreading the virus. North Yorkshire Police said cycling is still acceptable even during the coronavirus lockdown, but said precautions still need to be taken.

A sign put up in Huby warning cyclists to stay away. Picture by Thomas Barrett

Major Collision Investigation Sergeant Karen Aldridge said: “As long as people follow the government’s rules about how they exercise and observe social distancing while they do it, we want to give people the knowledge they need to ride safely.

“North Yorkshire is a beautiful county with a strong cycling scene and 6,000 miles of roads. That’s plenty of road for everyone if all road users stick to the law, take sensible precautions and look out for one another.”

The force’s advice includes:

• planning routes and telling someone where you’re going and your expected return time, especially if you are cycling in a remote location
• using dedicated cycle paths, especially when riding with children, as HGVs are still on the roads delivering essential supplies
• checking the bike is roadworthy before setting off, especially if it hasn’t been used for a while
• wearing reflective clothing and using lights and reflective discs, as well as riding towards the centre of the lane where you are most visible to other road users
• ensuring any face protection does not restrict your head movement
• using hand signals when turning
• making eye contact with drivers and pedestrians to ensure they have seen you
• helping motorists to pass at a safe distance by filtering down to single file.

Sgt Aldridge said officers are working hard to enforce speed limits, after reports that some drivers are using excessive speeds on quieter roads. She reminded drivers to “expect the unexpected around each corner” and to pass cyclists when safe to do so, at a minimum distance of 1.5m.

She added: “The government measures make it clear that cyclists need to practise social distancing and should only ride alone or with people from the same household. Please remember that, as our officers are out on patrol ensuring people follow these rules.”

North Yorkshire councils and police will share over £15 million as part of a new emergency coronavirus fund.

The money, which is part of a £1.6 billion government fund, will help the local authorities deal with the pressure across their services.

It is designed to increase support for the adult social care workforce and for services helping the most vulnerable, including homeless people.

North Yorkshire County Council will get £15.2 million, the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner will get £108,000 and Harrogate Borough Council will get £65,900.

The Stray Ferret has approached each of the local authorities for a breakdown of how they will spend the money but has received no response by the time of publication.

Local Government Secretary, Robert Jenrick said:

“The work of local authorities to deliver social care and other vital public services has never been more important than it is now – and will be – in the days and weeks ahead.

 

“That’s why we’re giving local councils £1.6 billion of additional funding to spend where it’s needed most, to ensure they can meet the cost of the increased demand for social care, and continue to protect the most vulnerable people in society.”

The emergency coronavirus fund is separate from the support fund for small businesses, hospitality, and leisure businesses.

That business fund has recently increased by £10 million to a total of £50 million, and Harrogate Borough Council has already distributed £12 million.

Councillor Graham Swift, deputy leader and cabinet member for resources, enterprise and economic development for Harrogate Borough Council, said:

“We know businesses are under intense pressure. Our business rates team have worked extraordinarily hard to gear up to process tens of millions of pounds of government cash to support local businesses.

 

“We have drafted in extra staff to deal with grant payments and top priority is getting the money into the bank accounts of local businesses as quickly as we can.

 

“Many grants have already been received and we are busy processing others so that they should be hitting accounts early next week.”

North Yorkshire Police have repeated it’s warning to motorists to stick to the rules of the road after a driver on the A168, which is a major road that runs from Northallerton to Wetherby, was recorded driving at 132mph earlier this week.

It comes after the force announced a dangerous rise in highly-excessive speeds as roads get quieter.

Andy Tooke, of North Yorkshire Police’s Traffic Bureau, said:

“Some of the speeds we have recorded are frankly ridiculous, especially at a time when people have been asked to stay home, protect the NHS and save lives.It’s unbelievable that some motorists are behaving in a way that puts more lives in danger at a time when NHS and emergency service resources are so vital.”

Details of the vehicle were circulated to other units and a driver was stopped by officers from a neighbouring police force a short time later.

The speed limit on the stretch of the A168 that the safety camera operator was monitoring is 70mph

“We will not tolerate North Yorkshire being used as a race track, and we are continuing to target those who put lives at risk by driving illegally.”

In the last few days, North Yorkshire Police has also recorded speeds of 117mph and several at close to 100mph.

The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in North Yorkshire has risen by almost 40 per cent in one day, according to Public Health England.

The organisation reported there were 69 cases in the county on Friday, compared to 50 the day before.

At present, most patients are only tested if they are admitted to hospital with severe symptoms, so figures do not include people who have symptoms but are able to stay at home. There are no specific figures for the Harrogate district, but two people have died at Harrogate District Hospital after testing positive for the virus.

Meanwhile, local authorities, police and other landowners including Yorkshire Water have asked the public to stay at home and not travel to popular tourism destinations and beauty spots this weekend.

It follows large crowds seen at locations including Swinsty, Fewston and Thruscross reservoirs last weekend. Good weather on Mother’s Day is believed to have contributed to people looking for places to meet family outdoors, leading to further curbs on activities by the government from last Monday evening.

North Yorkshire Police have now set up check-points to ensure anyone travelling is only doing so for essential reasons, such as key workers going to work or individuals going to buy food. They say they will be issuing fines of up to £1,000 for anyone caught flouting the rules.

North Yorkshire Police has stopped its first few drivers during the coronavirus lockdown at new checkpoints to question their motives.

The checkpoints could appear anywhere at any time to crack down on those flouting the rules in the Harrogate district.

Officers have also been out on foot to disperse groups, to enforce the social distancing measures and to “remind people of the seriousness of the situation.”

Assistant Chief Constable Mike Walker said: “As the legislation comes into force, the roadside checks will help us to reinforce the messaging.

“So we ask people not to make non-essential journeys, and to understand the definition of essential. We sincerely hope that we won’t have to resort to enforcement action, but if people do not comply, we will.

 

“We’ll also be out on foot, with a highly visible policing presence, to disperse groups, enforce the social distancing measures and remind people of the seriousness of the situation we are facing.

 

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

Brief update on the #RoadChecks being carried out in @NYorksPolice area during these unprecedented times. Please help reduce the burden on our amazing @NHSuk #StayHomeSaveLives pic.twitter.com/ugrk71PQhi

— Sgt Paul Cording BEM (@OscarRomeo1268) March 26, 2020

What are the lockdown rules?

• People can only leave their home to exercise once a day, to commute to work when it is necessary or to shop for food or medicine
• North Yorkshire Police will have the power to fine people between £30 and £1,000 for breaching the rules