Police in Sheffield notice 'considerable upturn in traffic' despite coronavirus lockdown

Police in Sheffield say they have noticed a ‘considerable upturn’ in traffic over the last week, despite the coronavirus lockdown remaining in place.
By Robert Cumber
Published 8th May 2020, 07:16 BST
Updated 8th May 2020, 07:19 BST
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They believe ‘constant speculation’ about the restrictions being eased may be a factor behind the increasing number of people being seen out of their homes.

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In an online Q&A, Inspector Kevin Smith, of Sheffield North West neighbourhood policing team, said: “We've noticed a considerable upturn in traffic in the last week or so, and we think some of this might be due to people realising that they have a reasonable excuse under the COVID-19 regulations and also the constant speculation about lockdown being eased is giving people the impression it's nearly all over.

Police have been stopping cars across Sheffield during the coronavirus lockdown to check people's reasons for travellingPolice have been stopping cars across Sheffield during the coronavirus lockdown to check people's reasons for travelling
Police have been stopping cars across Sheffield during the coronavirus lockdown to check people's reasons for travelling
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“However, at the time of writing the regulations are still in place and we are stopping and challenging people to ensure they have good reasons for being out.”

Speaking on Thursday, May 7, Inspector Smith said the ‘silent majority’ were staying home, with around 90 per cent of people estimated to be following the rules.

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He said the neighbourhood team, which covers the Broomhall, Sharrow Vale, Crookes, Fulwood, Hillsborough, Walkley, Stannington and Deepcar areas of the city, had issued only three fines for coronavirus breaches over the last month – to people who refused to go home or had ‘outrageously breached lockdown for daft reasons’.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is due to address the nation on Sunday, when he is expected to unveil a lockdown exit strategy.

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But it is widely anticipated that any initial easing of the restrictions will be very gentle, with people allowed to spend more time outside sunbathing or having picnics as long as they keep two metres apart from those outside their households.

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Until then at least, the restrictions remain unchanged, and Superintendent Paul McCurry, of South Yorkshire Police, appealed to people to continue to observe them over the weekend, as the nation marks the 75th anniversary of VE Day.th us and support us during this time.

He said enhanced patrols would be in place over the bank holiday weekend, adding: “Please, don’t lose sight of why we are doing this. We are in this together, to save lives.”