Coronavirus lockdown UK: Police search for organiser of 100-strong gathering near Sheffield
Moment more than 100 revellers gather on hill to watch the sunset in breach of Covid rules as police warn outdoor party organiser faces £10,000 fine
- Police want to find the organiser of a party at Bolehills, near Crookes in Sheffield
- More than 100 people gathered and there were reports of a DJ playing music
- Video shows large crowd sitting in tightly packed groups despite coronavirus
More than 100 revellers gathered on a hill to watch a sunset in breach of coronavirus lockdown rules, footage has revealed.
Police are keen to track down the organiser of the party at Bolehills, near Crookes in Sheffield, so they can be slapped with a £10,000 fine.
Footage shot by someone on the hill shows a large crowd of people sitting in tight groups despite lockdown restrictions.
There are reports a DJ played music and barbecues were lit on Wednesday.
Police are keen to track down the organiser of the party at Bolehills, near Crookes in Sheffield, so they can be slapped with a £10,000 fine
South Yorkshire Police officers were called at around 5.40pm to reports of a breach of lockdown restrictions.
A spokeswoman for the force said: ‘Police were called at around 5.40pm on Wednesday night with reports of a large gathering at Bole Hill Recreation Ground in Sheffield.’
The force revealed a man thought to be the organiser was seen ‘evading officers’.
The spokeswoman added: ‘On arrival, officers dispersed the group of around 100 people.
‘Whilst the majority dispersed on seeing police, a man believed to be the organiser of the event was identified evading officers. Enquiries are ongoing to trace the organiser, with a view to serving Fixed Penalty Notices.
Footage shot by someone on the hill shows a large crowd of people sitting in tight groups despite lockdown restrictions
‘Our neighbourhood officers will be carrying out extra patrols throughout the area tonight and into the weekend and are asking that people continue to adhere to Covid-19 restrictions.’
Recently, two people who organised a snowball fight in Leeds were fined £10,000 by West Yorkshire Police – the maximum penalty for breaking the lockdown restrictions.
Sergeant Simon Kirkham of the Walkley Team had a message for people who are thinking about breaking the rules.
He said: ‘We must all continue to follow the restrictions, which are in place to protect people and save lives.
‘The vast majority of the public are still working so hard to adhere to the rules, it is frustrating to see people willing to put the wider community at risk, please think about the consequences of your actions.’
