'Please be sensible': Police in Sheffield issue Easter bank holiday plea after Endcliffe Park chaos

Police in Sheffield are urging people to be ‘sensible’ over the Easter bank holiday weekend now that lockdown restrictions have eased.
By Claire Lewis
Published 1st Apr 2021, 13:49 BST
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The warning came after huge crowds gathered in Endcliffe Park on Tuesday, outraging many across the city, with social distancing rules breached.

Crowds also left seven tonnes of waste behind, which had to be collected by council workers in an emergency clean-up operation the following morning.

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An 18-year-old woman reported being raped in a car in the park and police were also called out to a fight, fires and vandalism to a war memorial.

People enjoying the sunshine in Endcliffe Park in Sheffield, earlier this week as England's third Covid-19 lockdown restrictions eased at the start of the week, allowing groups of up to six people to meet outside. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)People enjoying the sunshine in Endcliffe Park in Sheffield, earlier this week as England's third Covid-19 lockdown restrictions eased at the start of the week, allowing groups of up to six people to meet outside. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
People enjoying the sunshine in Endcliffe Park in Sheffield, earlier this week as England's third Covid-19 lockdown restrictions eased at the start of the week, allowing groups of up to six people to meet outside. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

Chief Inspector Lydia Lynskey, of South Yorkshire Police, said: “Now that lockdown restrictions have eased across England, we know that people want to take advantage of the upcoming bank holiday weekend to see friends and family.

“We urge everyone planning to see loved ones this weekend to do so safely. Please continue to observe social distancing measures and wear a face mask when required.

“Covid-19 is still very much present in our communities and we need to all continue to work together to ensure the risk to others, especially the most vulnerable, is minimised.

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“We’d like to thank everyone for continuing to adhere to the measures, and we do have robust operational plans in place to address any emerging issues in open spaces over the weekend, to ensure we do not have a repeat of those seen in some Sheffield parks earlier this week.

“Please be sensible, and enjoy the Easter weekend responsibly.”

To report issues call 101.

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