'Best way to protect war heroes on VE Day is stay at home' - police plea

This year celebrations will be very different and not what was ever envisaged when planning for this poignant day began all those months ago, but there are still lots of ways to commemorate the sacrifices made to ensure our freedom and peace.

Assistant Chief Constable Mike Walker said: “It is right that, on the 75th anniversary of the end of fighting in Europe, we join together safely, to remember and give thanks to all those who played their part in bringing peace, so that we could live our lives in freedom. Even though street parties and other gatherings have been cancelled, we can still celebrate, but in a different way.

“We will remember those that made the ultimate sacrifice, those that returned home and all who fought on the Home Front too and importantly thank the veterans alive today for what they did for us. However, it remains of utmost importance that people commemorate at home, so we can protect the NHS and save lives.

"At this moment in time, in this very different world, the greatest tribute you can pay our veterans is to stay at home. They went to war for us, the very least we can do is stay at home for them.”

Richard Flinton, chairman of the North Yorkshire local resilience forum, said: “At this poignant moment in our lives I ask you to reflect on the togetherness and community spirit that would have been celebrated the end of the Second World War in Europe and which you have shown over the past weeks during the current crisis.

“Although we cannot stand together physically due to the Covid-19 restrictions, we can stand together as a county in remembrance and thanksgiving and show that however great the challenge we face – we will stick together to overcome it.”