Conspiracy theorists leave their mark in Harrogate

Coronavirus conspiracy theorists are leaving their mark in Harrogate, much to the frustration of those leading the response to the pandemic.

Vandals have scrawled ‘The Great Reset’ on hoardings surrounding buildings on Beulah Street.

‘The great reset’ is a phrase used by conspiracy theorists who believe a global elite started the pandemic to take control.

Google saw a spike in searches for the term when Joe Biden won the US election despite the baseless nature of the claims.

Conspiracy theorists adopted the idea from the World Economic Forum, which urged nations to cooperate on building back better and in a more sustainable way after covid.

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This is not the first time coronavirus conspiracy theories have struck locally.

Last week, North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, which represents organisations in the county leading the fight against covid, condemned vandals who sprayed ‘LIES’ in red graffiti on ‘stay local’ signs and ripped them down.

A statement by the forum said those responsible “show contempt for people’s lives” and warned their actions would not be tolerated.

Louise Wallace, North Yorkshire’s director of public health, said:

“We would like to thank the majority of people who are sticking to the lockdown rules and respecting the measures we are putting in place to stop the spread.

“It’s very disappointing to hear such acts of vandalism are happening and that a minority of people aren’t taking seriously the great danger to life that the virus poses.”

Superintendent Mike Walker, North Yorkshire Police’s lead on the coronavirus response, said:

“I realise a minority of people may be feeling tired of seeing coronavirus messages, or feeling frustrated about being asked to stay at home.

“It’s not the way any of us would choose to live our life under normal circumstances.

“However, that does not give anyone the right to deface a sign which warns the wider community of the risk of catching a virus.”