‘Shocking’ number of people travelling to tier 2 areas for a pint, say police

Drinkers ‘believe their pint is more important than someone’s life,' says senior North Yorkshire Police officer

Police in York have issued a “shocking” number of fines to people travelling into the city from neighbouring tier 3 regions for a drink.

Officers reported handing out more than 160 penalties over the weekend to people who had ignored government advice and “flouted regulations”. 

Police made “proactive visits” to venues in the North Yorkshire city, which is currently under tier 2  restrictions which mean that pubs and bars are allowed to remain open if operating as restaurants serving alcohol with substantial meals.

Under the rules, only groups from the same household should be dining inside and up to six people from different households are allowed to meet outside.

Other Yorkshire cities such as Leeds, Sheffield and Hull are under tier 3 rules. This means that restaurants and pubs can sell only sell takeaway. 

Police say large numbers of people have been travelling into York from other parts of the region and breaching regulations.

North Yorkshire Police superintendent Mike Walker said the vast majority of fines were being given to people “who visited York to mix and socialise indoors". He said some people “believe their pint is more important than someone’s life.” 

Mr Walker added officers were trying to speak to the public and encourage them to take notice of the rules before issuing fines. The superintendent said “some people who were spoken to by officers did go home” but many people completely ignored advice given.

This has led 161 fines being handed out.

Mr Walker added: “If you choose to visit the city of York from tier three areas without a justifiable reason to have made your journey, with our extra patrols, chances are you will encounter one of our officers and you'll be asked about the reason for your visit.”

Councillor Denise Craghill, executive member for safer communities at City of York Council, said: "We want people to enjoy York safely and in line with government rules.

"No one in the city wants to put loved ones at risk for the sake of a night out and undo the city's hard work and sacrifice."

Coronavirus infection rates are lower in York than much of the wider Yorkshire region and UK The average number of Covid cases per 100,000 over the last seven days in York is to be 84.5. Across Yorkshire and the Humber,  the rate currently stands at 160.1.

Meanwhile, the rate for England is 284.2 cases per 100,000. In tier 4 London, the rate is 528.6, with the new mutated version of coronavirus spreading through the capital.

Mr Walker said North Yorkshire Police would remain “undeterred” in their objective to keep the county safe. He added the force would take all action necessary “in order to stop the spread and ultimately save lives.”