DESPITE warnings not visit North Yorkshire, police have confirmed that in just 48 hours they issued 61 fines to people who were not following government guidance and making unnecessary journeys.

With safety camera officers noticing a significant increase in traffic using the county’s roads, this was clearly demonstrated by the number of unwelcome visitors fined, many at scenic sites or beauty spots.

On Friday, fixed penalty notices were issued to two people from West Yorkshire camping and having a barbecue near Helmsley. Saturday saw 31 fines issued on to people visiting the county from West Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cumbria and as far away as Kent. In Malham alone, 17 fines were issued, with 13 being written in an hour, as day-trippers thronged to the North Yorkshire village.

The incident was widely reported in the national media and one of the officers involved wrote about her experience. She stated she “endured more abuse than I ever have dealing with drunken idiots outside nightclubs”.

The group referred to were barbecuing together perched at the top of Malham Cove. One of the group spat on the ground in front of her with another man shouting abuse at her in front of his children.

A further 30 fines were issued on Sunday, with officers issuing six fines in Brotherton to people gathering to go off-road biking. Other unnecessary journeys included a man travelling from Yarm to Wakefield to pick up paint and two men travelling en route to Bradford to view a car.

One of two people who stopped to visit Brimham Rocks was arrested after being identified as being wanted in connection with a serious assault in a West Yorkshire.

The successful fight against drugs also continued after traffic officers stopped a car on the A1(M) near Scotch Corner. The driver was arrested after a consignment of drugs was found in his car boot.

Meanwhile, a man flying a microlight across Wensleydale was given suitable advice after being traced by police. After it was pointed out if the flight encountered difficulties the hard-pressed emergency services would have to respond, he agreed not to use the machine for the present.

Darlington and Stockton Times:

Speaking about recent enforcement, Assistant Chief Constable Mike Walker said: “Up until this weekend, the vast majority of both residents and visitors to North Yorkshire have acted responsibly and in accordance to government guidance and abided by the rules around only travelling for essential reasons.

“However, we are definitely starting to see a turning of the tide in some areas, with some blatantly ignoring the reason why we have been in a lockdown situation for the past five weeks and making a decision to no longer stay home and save lives.

“As I have previously mentioned, this is not about finding loopholes in the guidance to justify having a day out. This is about keeping your elderly, vulnerable grandmother safe, your asthmatic child safe or your diabetic father safe.

“So please think about why it’s important to you personally to stop the spread of this virus. Think about the personal reason, or the family member you are staying home for and if you can’t do it for the health and safety of the nation, please do it for them.”