Police respond to fears for safety over residents ignoring coronavirus lockdown rules in Sheffield neighbourhood

A man has been charged for allegedly threatening an officer in Sheffield as police responded to concerns about people ignoring the coronavirus lockdown and gathering on the streets.
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Former Sheffield councillor Ibrar Hussain had told how residents in Fir Vale and Page Hall ‘fear for their safety’ and claimed police measures were ‘not working’ there, as he shared photos of groups brazenly breaching the rules.

Police in the neighbourhood said they are ‘conducting proactive patrols’ and ‘reacting to information received regarding COVID-19 breaches’, and they claimed there had been a ‘steady improvement on compliance’ though there was ‘still progress to be made’.

Police on patrol in Fir Vale, Sheffield, where people have been pictured flouting coronavirus restrictions by gathering on the streetsPolice on patrol in Fir Vale, Sheffield, where people have been pictured flouting coronavirus restrictions by gathering on the streets
Police on patrol in Fir Vale, Sheffield, where people have been pictured flouting coronavirus restrictions by gathering on the streets
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In an update issued yesterday, the Sheffield North East neighbourhood policing team described how one man had been arrested and charged with public order offences ‘having threatened’ a PCSO carrying out coronavirus enforcement patrols.

The team also revealed they had teamed up with a member of the Roma community studying at university who has been joining officers on patrols to help them press home the seriousness of the threat facing the country.

And they responded to a video which has been doing the rounds on social media yesterday showing a house in Page Hall being attacked with a baseball bat, saying the incident had not occurred that day and a police investigation was underway.

Sergeant Phil Mackey urged people not to share the video as doing so could ‘damage any subsequent prosecution’.

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The neighbourhood team’s full post in response to people flouting the coronavirus restrictions read: “The Fir Vale team have continued their commitment to supporting the NHS and communities by conducting proactive patrols in Fir Vale and reacting to information received regarding COVID-19 breaches.

“The team have been committed to educating and encouragement with those that continue to flout the regulations. Tonight a member of the Roma community who is studying at university has been on patrol with officers to try and assist with educating and explaining the seriousness of the situation the country is facing.

“Yesterday, a male was arrested and charged with public order offences, having threatened the PCSO conducting enforcement patrols. The team have seen a steady improvement on compliance in the area. However, there is still progress to be made.”