Sunbathers in Sheffield city centre 'verbally abuse' key worker

Sandeep Kainda told how he was shocked by the ‘irresponsible behaviour’ of people catching some rays on the grass at the Peace Gardens yesterday, Wednesday, May 6.

When he went to speak to a couple who had been lying there for more than an hour, he says they declined to move and instead started abusing him using language he did not care to repeat.

Police bodycam footage shows Sheffield thief arrested after racially abusing police

Mr Kainda, who also volunteers for a food bank one day a week, said: “I think it’s good to discuss things like this with people rather than turning a blind eye so I went over to advise them that such irresponsible behaviour sets the wrong example for others and would inevitably put additional pressure on the NHS and other organisations

"Rather than moving on, they started verbally abusing me.

"I think the majority of people are doing a good job of sticking to the regulations but others appear to have no respect for the NHS and no regard for wider society."

Sheffield councillor speaks out on 'distressing' coronavirus death rate in deprived city district

The incident came on the same day 14 people were seen breaching the restrictions by playing football in a Sheffield park.

But Chief Constable Stephen Watson, of South Yorkshire Police, has said people in the region are largely observing the lockdown rules.

People are only allowed to leave their homes for a limited number of reasons, including to buy food and medicine or travel to work, and health secretary Matt Hancock has said sunbathing in public spaces is against the rules.