Hen party takes place in Sheffield after 'incorrect advice' from police

A photo taken at around 3.30pm on Saturday afternoon shows a group of people gathered outside the Everest pub in Handsworth.

The woman who took the photo estimated she saw between 15 and 20 people in the car park, which she said is “not the biggest space in the world.”

She said: “There were more people than in the picture because I took it quite sneakily.

“Some of the people were awfully close. Some of them were better at social distancing but there were definitely households that don’t live together.”

Under current UK law, two people from different households can meet in outdoor settings, such as parks, as long as they stay more than two metres apart. But any larger meetings between different households at the same time are banned.

The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said the gathering was for a hen party and that she saw blow-up dolls in the car park, as well as people wearing sashes.

A post on social media also said a hen party and stag party was due to take place in the pub’s car park on Saturday.

The post claimed a ‘local police officer’ had given permission for it to take place, providing social distancing was in place.

Cones and tape were visible in the car park, which organisers said would aid social distancing. They also claimed numbers were limited to “a few friends”.

The woman said: “What’s more important – a fake hen party or saving lives?”

“It’s a frustrating thing to see people suffering, not only my friends but the people I work with who have lost loved ones. Others see it as an excuse to get drunk, it’s unfair.

She added: “I haven’t seen my nephew since March but they can stand in the pub and do this? If we all did our part we would be out of this much quicker.”

Another woman wrote on Facebook: “So this is allowed but family funerals aren't? We had to miss our Nan’s funeral this week, as will many others.”

And another woman said: “Nice idea but how come police given go ahead for this but I cant see a group of my family - no difference if you ask me!”

A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police said the event was allowed to go ahead after one of it’s officers issued “incorrect advice” which went against the Health Protection Regulations.

They said: “Incorrect advice was issued by one of our officers in relation to a gathering of three couples for a private event in an outdoor space outside a Sheffield pub. The group was swiftly dispersed.

“This advice went against the Health Protection Regulations and detailed briefings shared across the force. “The officer has been advised regarding their conduct and the concern this incident may have caused local residents.”