Stop breaking Covid rules to visit Kirkstall, warn West Yorkshire Police

Although the north Leeds suburb is home to some superb walking spots and the magnificent Kirkstall Abbey, it's still not legal to travel out of your area to visit according to current lockdown rules.

Police have now issued a strict new warning that they will take a 'firm stance' on Covid breaches, and fines up to £6,400 will be handed out. For gatherings of more than 30, the force is warning it will use its maximum penalty of £10,000.

In fact on Thursday West Yorkshire Police revealed it had given £10,000 fines to two organisers involved in a mass snowball fight on Woodhouse Moor. A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: "West Yorkshire Police are taking a firm stance on COVID breaches. If you are found to be breaching regulations you WILL be fined. People have been regularly attending venues in Kirkstall.

"You can be given a fine of £200 for the first offence, doubling for further offences up to a maximum of £6,400. If you hold, or are involved in holding, an illegal gathering of over 30 people, the police can issue fines of £10,000."

What are the current lockdown rules around travel and meeting people?

You must not leave, or be outside of your home except where necessary. You may leave the home to:

shop for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person

go to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home

exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person (in which case you should stay 2m apart). Exercise should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.

meet your support bubble or childcare bubble where necessary, but only if you are legally permitted to form one

seek medical assistance or avoid injury, illness or risk of harm (including domestic abuse)

attend education or childcare - for those eligible

If you do leave home for a permitted reason, you should always stay in your local area - unless it is necessary to go further, for example to go to work.

Staying in your local area means stay in the village, town, or part of the city where you live.

If you are clinically extremely vulnerable you are advised to only go out for medical appointments, exercise or if it is essential. We recommend that you do not attend work

Meeting others

You cannot leave your home to meet socially with anyone you do not live with or are not in a support bubble with (if you are legally permitted to form one).

You may exercise on your own, with one other person, or with your household or support bubble. This should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.

You cannot meet other people you do not live with, or have not formed a support bubble with, unless for a permitted reason.

Stay 2 metres apart from anyone not in your household or support bubble.