Police deployed to Sheffield suburb after huge crowd gathers in street during heated disturbance
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Videos captured the scenes and have been shared online, sparking fury among Sheffield residents concerned about the number of people ignoring social distancing measures introduced in the UK to try to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Crowds started to gather on and around Popple Street in Page Hall when a heated disturbance broke out.
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Hide AdA group of men and women were captured on camera dragging a man away from the crowd and bundling him into a terraced house in the street, which police officers were seen entering later in the mobile phone footage.
It is believed that over 100 people gathered outside during the disturbance.
It is the latest in a series of social distancing breaches in Page Hall drawn to the attention of South Yorkshire Police since the coronavirus pandemic began.
A former councillor shared photographs online taken by concerned residents to show how social distancing was being ignored at the start of the pandemic.
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Hide AdPolice patrols were stepped up and leaflets were posted to hundreds of homes in the suburb explaining lockdown rules and the importance of social distancing.
Posting on Facebook, one woman said: “It's just getting worse. I feel like sending this video to Mr Boris Johnson and telling him this is what social distancing is in Page Hall, Sheffield.”
Samantha Howell said: “These don’t know the meaning of social distancing.
“I drive though Page Hall every night from work and you should see the amount of gangs stood outside the shops, staring into my car like I'm filth.”
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Hide AdJan Churchill added: “No wonder we’ve got one of the highest virus death rates.“Never going to get rid of it at this rate.”
Jacqueline Nicholson commented: “It’s not fair on the people who are trying there best to cope with this lockdown, “They have no regard for anyone but themselves.”
Katrina Smithers said: “Makes my blood boil. Not even 200 yards up the road and there's people in hospital fighting for their lives due to this virus.”
South Yorkshire Police has been asked for a comment.