In another sign of how the world has been turned on its head, a group of men have been fined by police for drinking alcohol – in a pub beer garden.
The seven men from York, aged between 18 and 45, were fined after police found them drinking alcohol in the beer garden of a closed pub following a cycle ride on Sunday (19 April).
They were one of a rising number of people fined by North Yorkshire Police for flouting vital social distancing laws.
And police have warned they are increasing their patrols and will not hesitate to use their powers when necessary.
Other people fined in recent days include:
- a group of adults from York who were spotted together in the city centre on a number of occasions with no reasonable excuse to be out. On 20 April each one was issued with a fine after previously been advised to return home
- a group of nine men aged from 22 to 41 from West Yorkshire who were all fined after being found in Malham in the Yorkshire Dales late on Sunday night
- three men from Merseyside who were stopped on A1 who could give no reasonable reason for travelling
- three men from West Yorkshire aged between 30 and 48 who were all fined when the car they were travelling in was stopped on the A64 in North Yorkshire after travelling through Merseyside, Staffordshire and Derbyshire earlier that day.
More patrols this weekend
“The majority of people in North Yorkshire can be proud of what they have done to help slow the spread of the virus and save lives, said Assistant Chief Constable Mike Walker.
“But sadly our officers have come across a minority who, despite all the publicity and the clear messages about the danger posed by this virus, believe the rules don’t apply to them.”
He said people meeting with family and friends, or travelling unnecessarily, were putting lives at risk, adding:
We urge you to think twice before you go out, follow the Government’s restrictions and do not meet up with friends and family that you do not live with.
Our task remains unchanged, and as we head into the weekend, there’ll be more officers out on high-visibility patrols who will continue to engage, explain and encourage members of the public to follow the guidance.
Please be aware that although we continue to take this approach, we are not afraid to use the legislative powers if we have to.
Police release statistics for the number of fines every two weeks. Between 2 and 15 April, North Yorkshire Police issued 153 fines. They are are £60 reduced to £30 if you pay quickly.