Police officers have raided the York barbershop which defied an order to close under Covid regulations.
A joint operation, led by the City of York Council public protection team, saw police officers enter Q Gentlemen’s Barbers on Bishopthorpe Road after 11am this morning (Wednesday).
They were on hand to forcibly close the shop. Two men, aged 18 and 30, were arrested.
A 24-year-old man was arrested later.
The council has issued Q Gentlemen’s Barbers with 12 fixed penalty notices for breaches of the Covid rules, with fines totalling £33,000.
When the owners refused to comply, the council ordered the shop to close between 13 and 20 May in order to make the premises safe. This closure order was later extended until 17 July.
But the business remained open throughout.
Today the council led the operation to close the shop, with the support of North Yorkshire Police.
Directors Ryan Cross and Dylan Bell told YorkMix that they were operating within ‘common law’ and questioning the legality of the orders to wear face masks indoors.
But the council says breaking the Covid laws is a criminal act. They issued the initial closure order to allow the business to get its house in order.
When they failed to do so, the council had no option but to take enforcement action.
Today’s operation was led by Matt Boxall, head of public protection at City of York Council.
He said: “We are working with the police and other partners to ensure the business closes as unfortunately it has not been able to trade in a Covid-secure way as other businesses in the city do.”
A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “Officers carried out a warrant at businesses premises on Bishopthorpe Road in York on Wednesday (26 May 2021) morning.
“This was in support of City of York Council’s enforcement action against a barber shop for alleged breaches of public health restrictions related to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Three men from York, aged 30, 24 and 18, have been arrested and released under investigation while Trading Standards enquiries continue.”