'You're risking lives'- Sheffield man's message to yobs who broke social distancing rules and racially abused him at park

The 31-year-old, who wanted to remain anonymous, was taking his Government-approved daily exercise at the park at Manor Castle when he spotted a gang of youths breaking social distancing rules and intimidating families as they walked by.

As he did laps of the park, the group began racially abusing him.

He said: “They were doing mock Asian accents at me- it’s something I’m used to, being Indian, which is a shame. But that's not really the issue here.

“The kids were around 15 or 16 and it was very apparent they weren’t from the same household. One was on his phone to a mate, asking him to come down to the park.

“The park is spacious and it’s easy to keep a two-metre distance. Everyone is doing their bit to help minimise the spread, but the fact is these kids are putting lives at risk by not sticking to guidelines.

“One of them had an off-road bike without a helmet on, and was driving towards families with young children. He drove dangerously close to a man holding the hand of a toddler.

“I’d urge parents to watch over their teenagers and keep them at home. I have family members and friends who work for the NHS, some of whom have even tested positive for COVID-19 while frontlining.

“Not only could they spread the virus but if they had an accident, or hurt someone else, they’d be taking up resources and beds that are desperately needed by coronavirus patients.”

After the country was thrown into lockdown by Boris Johnson last week, the government issued the following guidelines:

Stay at home

Only go outside for food, health reasons or work (but only if you cannot work from home)

If you go out, stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people at all times

Wash your hands as soon as you get home

Do not meet others, even friends or family. You can spread the virus even if you don’t have symptoms.

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