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Woman Fined After Breaking Lockdown Rules By Driving 100 Miles To McDonald's

Woman Fined After Breaking Lockdown Rules By Driving 100 Miles To McDonald's

The woman crossed three counties to grab a burger

Jake Massey

Jake Massey

A woman has been fined after breaking lockdown rules by travelling 100 miles to get a McDonald's.

North Yorkshire Police issued the fine on Saturday afternoon, after discovering the motorist had driven from Lincolnshire to meet her sister in Scarborough for a Maccies.

Chief Inspector Rachel Wood criticised the woman for her cross-country Maccies mission.

It turned out to be an expensive burger.
PA

She said: "Driving through three counties to get a burger is not classed as essential travel. So the woman, who is in her 30s, received a fixed penalty notice from North Yorkshire Police.

"Most people in North Yorkshire are trying really hard to stop the spread of Covid in our communities and protect the vulnerable.

"When this pandemic is over, we know everyone's looking forward to going where they want, when they want.

"But in the meantime, I'd like to say thank you to everyone who continues to stay home, protect the NHS and save lives."

In this instance, the breach of the rules was clear-cut, but certain grey areas have caused a lot of controversy; the case of Jessica Allen and Eliza Moore is a prime example.

The 27-year-olds were stopped by officers after they drove five miles to go for a walk at Foremark Reservoir in South Derbyshire on Wednesday (6 January). They were fined £200, with officers adding that the Starbucks drinks they brought with them constituted a picnic.

The pair said they thought they had followed the rules - which stipulate that you can only exercise in your 'local area' - and the force has now withdrawn the fines.

The fines have been withdrawn.
SWNS

Derbyshire Police's chief constable, Rachel Swann, said on Monday: "I can confirm that a review into fixed penalty notices (FPNs) issued by my officers last week has been completed.

"Two fixed penalty notices that were handed to two women who had travelled to Foremark Reservoir on Wednesday have been withdrawn and we have notified the women directly, apologising for any concern caused.

"I support the fact that the officers were trying to encourage people to stay local to prevent the spread of the virus. This is a responsibility for all of us. All of our FPNs issued in conjunction with the Covid guidance are subject to review.

"Having received clarification of the guidance issued by the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) on Friday, these FPNs as well as a small number of others issued, were reviewed in line with that latest advice, and so it is right that we have taken this action.

"We have been working hard to understand the ever-changing guidance and legislation and to communicate this to our officers in a way that makes it clear what is the right course of action to take."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Police, Food, UK News, lockdown, crime, McDonald's