Fewer than 10 people spotted at anti-lockdown 'mass gatherings' in Sheffield

Endcliffe Park and Norfolk Heritage Park were two of more than 60 locations across the UK chosen to play host to the illegal meetings, which are reported to have been organised by the UK Freedom Movement.

However, Andrew West, who was in Encliffe Park at around 12pm when the demonstration was due to begin, said he saw just six people protesting – including teenagers on bikes and some older people wearing masks. Another passer-by said he saw five police officers present and “a few people who were in what looked like family groups.”

One man said the lack of protestors had ‘restored some of his faith in humanity’.

Just three people – all reportedly from the same household – were spotted in Norfolk Park. They held up a banner that read: “We will not be censored, tested, tracked, chipped or poisoned to support this orchestrated lie. This will not be our new normal. We do not consent.”

Officers from South Yorkshire Police's Manor and Arbourthorne teams were present in Norfolk Park to deal with any illegal activity.

Ben Miskell, Labour councillor for Park and Arbourthorne, tweeted: “Thank you to @syptweet for making sure that Norfolk Heritage Park remains a safe place for our community to use.

“Conspiracy theorists & anti vaxxers intent on breaking social distancing are not welcome!”

Sheffield anti-racism campaign group Stand Up To Racism claimed the protests were a cynical attempt by far-right groups linked to the UK Freedom Movement to exploit the crisis.

The Evening Standard reported that around 40 people were in London’s Hyde Park for the protests on Saturday morning, with Jeremy Corbyn’s brother arrested.