Sheffield cop says many families in Page Hall ‘thought lockdown was completely over’

People in the Sheffield neighbourhood of Page Hall have reported repeated contraventions of the lockdown rules throughout the coronavirus pandemic, including large groups congregating on the tight terraced streets and even a full-blown street brawl.

The situation got so bad that last week South Yorkshire Police drafted in the serious violent crime taskforce in a bid to stem the continued rule-breaking.

One of those officers, PC Phil Reed, who is also a public order advisor with the force, posted a video to Twitter on Thursday in which he talked about what the team had been doing in the area to encourage social distancing.

While on patrol in the area with police horse Bawtry, he said: "It’s a sunny day here in Page Hall in Sheffield which means there are many people out and about.

“We’ve engaged and educated many families here who (with English as their second language) thought the lockdown was completely over. Hopefully, we’ve made a difference.”

PC Reed said the area had got a bit busier than it had been under the full lockdown, and that his main concern was to stop residents from different households meeting each other.

He added the current guidelines did contain some ambiguity but that most people were heeding the police’s message.

“Some people do need reminding but keep going – we are beating this thing,” he added.