Police find teens, aged 14 and 16, driving around Sheffield during lockdown

Teenagers aged 14 and 16 were found flouting lockdown laws by driving a car around the streets of Sheffield when they should have been at home.
Police found two friends, aged 16 and 14, driving around Sheffield during lockdown.Police found two friends, aged 16 and 14, driving around Sheffield during lockdown.
Police found two friends, aged 16 and 14, driving around Sheffield during lockdown.

The pair were found by officers from the Walkley Neighbourhood Policing Team during Covid-19 enforcement patrols aimed at ensuring people are only leaving their homes for shopping, medical reasons, exercise or essential travel to work.

The team, which covers Walkley, Hillsborough and Uppethorpe, said officers have found ‘high levels of compliance’ but during the patrols 14 cars have been taken off the roads for offences including a lack of insurance.

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Sergeant Simon Kirkham said: “We’re very fortunate in the areas we police, we’ve seen high levels of compliance which has been fantastic; people seem to be very stoical and willing to adapt their lives to help save others.

"There have been a few minor issues, which we have dealt with through conversation.

“Yesterday, we had a productive day stopping cars, checking people were making essential journeys and we’ve also been making sure our patrols are focused on locations where potential guidance breaches are being reported.

“Despite the restrictions in place, we’re also seeing quite a few issues with problem vehicles, which simply shouldn’t be on our streets. In the last three weeks we’ve taken 14 cars off the road in Walkley and Upperthorpe for multiple offences including no insurance.

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“To the 16-year-old who was taking his 14-year-old friend for a ‘test drive’ in a car which was uninsured, untaxed and unregistered, maybe not next time eh?

“My team are also stepping up proactive patrols, both to keep an eye on social distancing but also to deal with other issues. We’re still stopping and searching people and hopefully proving a reassuring presence.

“One thing we have seen a slight increase in since the start of the restrictions is commercial burglaries, with some building sites in our area being targeted.

“Finally, whilst we’ve been out on patrol we’ve been kept entertained and smiling by your lovely messages and displays of support, so thank you so much for those, they don’t go unnoticed.”