Police in Tier 2 York have said some people “believe their pint is more important than someone’s life” after issuing a “shocking” number of fines to people travelling to the city’s pubs from neighbouring Tier 3 locations.
The city is only a short drive from towns and cities in West and South Yorkshire under much stricter coronavirus restrictions and officers say they have found large numbers in breach of the regulations.
Police and council enforcements officers said they made “proactive visits” to licensed premises in York over the weekend and handed out more than 160 tickets to those reluctant to take advice.
In a statement, North Yorkshire Police said they issued “a shocking number of fines” to those who “flout regulations”.
Superintendent Mike Walker said: “Looking at the numbers of fines handed out this weekend, which are still awaiting processing, we believe that we have handed out over 160 tickets, with the vast majority being issued to Tier 3 residents who visited York to mix and socialise indoors, which is in clear breach of their restrictions.
“Throughout the pandemic, we have been very clear about our approach, and the action taken this weekend is evidence of it. We have stated our teams would be patrolling, speaking to the public and encouraging them to adhere to the rules.
“Where we encounter people who refuse to adhere to the regulations and believe their pint is more important than someone’s life, we will use our enforcement powers.
“Some people who were spoken to by officers did go home.
“However, our teams encountered large numbers of people who were not responsive to the advice, leaving us no option but to enforce through the use of fixed penalty notices.”
Mr Walker added: “If you choose to visit the city of York from Tier 3 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.
“It is our responsibility to ask those questions, to determine the truth and take the necessary action, in order to stop the spread and ultimately save lives.
“We remain undeterred from our objective to keep the people of North Yorkshire safe.”
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.
“You should not travel across tier boundaries and, in York, Tier 2 restrictions must be followed: meet only your household or your bubble, or up to six people outside.”
She added: “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.”
