A MAN has been charged with assaulting police officer and using threatening words and behaviour after officers were called to a disturbance at Richmond Falls on Bank Holiday Monday.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said the 29-year-old man, who has also been charged with obstructing a police officer, will appear in court in July.

A 30-year-man from Catterick Garrison was also issued with a penalty notice for disorder. In a separate incident another man was fined for refusing to move his car, which was causing an obstruction.

The spokesperson said: "Officers are reminding visitors that although we have limited powers under the coronavirus regulations, our normal police powers have not changed and we won’t hesitate to use them if we have to."

The council is in talks with the police to find ways of stopping scores of people descending on the beauty spot, ignoring social distancing guidelines and leaving it strewn with litter and drugs paraphernalia.

Mayor of Richmond Councillor Lorraine Hodgson said earlier people in the town are “shocked” and “outraged” after hoards of people took over the area around Richmond Fall and the Batts drinking and using nitrous oxide capsules.

Mounds of litter were left behind at the scene including dozens of small lnitrous oxide capsules, the gas is inhaled to try and make users feel euphoric and relaxed. It is not illegal to possess the cannisters but is illegal to sell them. They can be very dangerous when inhaled causing extreme dizziness.

A major clean up operation was later launched by local volunteers who collected dozens of bags of rubbish.

Richmondshire District Council said last week it was stepping up patrols in the area after previous problems where they had to organise a huge clean up. They warned at that stage that further action may have to be taken with fines for people littering.