How police plan to educate people in Sheffield’s Page Hall on strict new coronavirus rules

Since lockdown rules were introduced in March, authorities in Sheffield have faced problems in Page Hall and nearby Fir Vale with some residents not abiding by social distancing guidelines.

Some of the reasons cited for this include language barriers, given the high Roma Slovak population there whose first language is not English, and ‘traditional’ authorities, such as Sheffield City Council, finding it difficult ‘getting their message through’.

The Council has worked with community leaders and groups to improve communication with households in both neighbourhoods and South Yorkshire Police teamed up with an English-speaking student in April to help bridge any language barriers.

Officers from Sheffield North East neighbourhood policing team said they will patrol the estate ‘engaging, explaining and educating’ the public on the new guidance, which comes into force from Wednesday.

Police seized two cars in Page Hall on Monday.