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Police patrolling English county borders to prevent 'non-essential' travel between Covid tiers

A North Yorkshire Police officer talks to a driver on the border with West Yorkshire, which is in Tier 3
A North Yorkshire Police officer talks to a driver on the border with West Yorkshire, which is in Tier 3
Coronavirus Article Bar with counter
Coronavirus Article Bar with counter

Police forces will be patrolling the perimeters of some tier two and three areas this weekend in a bid to curb breaches of rules on "non-essential" travel.

North Yorkshire Police confirmed this week that it would be increasing its presence on border areas to discourage people from travelling to the county from surrounding Tier 3 locations.

Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology (ANPR) is also being used to monitor cross-border traffic.

North Yorkshire is currently under Tier 2 regulations, with all surrounding counties – except Cumbria – in Tier 3. The Government currently advises against "non-essential" travel from Tier 3 areas or visiting areas in a higher tier area than your own.

"It is our responsibility to keep the public of North Yorkshire safe," said Superintendent Mike Walker, of North Yorkshire Police. "So, until the threat this virus poses is eradicated, we will continue to play our part in containing it."

Police officers will also be on patrol in Liverpool – in Tier 2 – this weekend, challenging those who have travelled to the city from Tier 3 areas.

“It is our responsibility to keep the public of North Yorkshire safe,” said Superintendent Mike Walker of North Yorkshire Police
“It is our responsibility to keep the public of North Yorkshire safe,” said Superintendent Mike Walker of North Yorkshire Police

A Merseyside Police spokesman said: "We will continue to have high visibility patrols on foot and on our roads, and officers will continue to remind the public of the rules, encourage people to adhere to them and explain why it is so important.

"Where blatant breaches of legislation are seen, we will not hesitate to take enforcement action."

Under the new tier system rules, non-essential travel from a Tier 3 area is "advised against" – not actually illegal – but fixed penalty notices may be issued to those breaking some of the new rules, such as a £200 fine for meeting people outside your "bubble".

Preventing people from travelling to Tier 1 Cornwall is also a concern for Devon and Cornwall Police, with the force announcing the deployment of dedicated coronavirus patrols across the region whose "sole purpose will be to respond to Covid-related matters"

There will be "up to 10 additional dedicated double-crewed units", a spokesman said, with officers focusing on the border areas between Devon and Cornwall. Cornwall is currently the only area of mainland Britain to be placed in Tier 1, while Devon is under Tier 2.

But the travel ban between the two areas is being adhered to, said Malcolm Bell, the chief executive of local tourism authority Visit Cornwall.

"Businesses on the border have been put in a very difficult position – are they really supposed to turn away much-needed custom from just a few miles away?" he said

"But there have, in fact, been more cancellations than bookings [in Cornish hotels and hospitality businesses]. They're coming in from people in Tier 3 as they should not travel, and others from Tier 2 as multiple households cannot share cottages, apartments or dine together in hotels and restaurants."