Police kick over 40 people out of South Yorkshire park for playing football

The incident happened on Thursday, May 14, in Ferham Park in Rotherham when police came across the group on a routine patrol.

A police spokesperson confirmed the officers had dispersed the crowd without the need for further enforcement action.

Inspector Chris Blake said: “Since Government restrictions were introduced we, alongside our partners at Rotherham Council, have been working hard to engage with all communities across Rotherham and encourage compliance with guidelines.

“Our work with individuals and communities has been largely positive and on the whole, we’ve seen a great level of compliance.

“Where we have encountered gatherings while on patrol, anyone in attendance has dispersed without the need for officers to take enforcement action.

“We continue to offer advice around the importance of social distancing and this will become more important than ever now restrictions have been slightly eased.

“Our high visibility presence in the area will also continue, and we will take action and disperse gatherings where needed.”

Earlier in the lockdown, a group of men playing football in Norfolk Heritage Park in Sheffield were described as p****s on social media by angry residents.

When the lockdown was imposed in March, the rules forbade people from meeting with anyone outside their own household in public places such as parks.

Updated Government guidelines say you came now meet with one other person who you don’t live with for daily exercise.