Anger after residents appear to ignore lockdown plea in Sheffield neighbourhood

The Firth Park Neighborhood Network say large gangs of Roma men and women in the streets around Page Hall are ignoring pleas to stay indoor during the lockdown.

Last week, South Yorkshire Police delivered leaflets to the Roma community in the area, asking them to respect the rules in order to save lives and protect the NHS.

But Nasar Raoof from the Firth Park Neighbourhood Network says this has made no difference, and he is now calling for the police to enforce the law much more stringently.

He said: “Despite the lockdown and police patrols nothing has changed for local vulnerable and isolated families as they look out of their properties to see the lockdown being totally disregarded.

“Their safety and well-being is being put at risk. Gangs of Roma men and women gather on the streets as can be seen in a video taken this morning around lunch time.

“The question being asked this morning by our elderly and our activists that are out delivering essentials is how can we protect ourselves when social distancing is not being adhered to?

“We are very angry and want this issue to urgently be tackled. We are also calling on the police over and over again to get enforcing social distancing and protecting the most vulnerable during this pandemic.

“We need tough enforcement action now.”

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