Police chief sends message on mass gatherings and people ‘wilfully breaching’ Sheffield lockdown

South Yorkshire’s Chief Constable has praised the county’s response to the coronavirus lockdown.
Chief Constable Stephen Watson, of South Yorkshire PoliceChief Constable Stephen Watson, of South Yorkshire Police
Chief Constable Stephen Watson, of South Yorkshire Police

Chf Con Stephen Watson said the enforced lockdown has resulted in ‘a community of people who have pulled together, pulled in the same direction and have done everything in their power to see off this virus’.

“I think we have seen what South Yorkshire people are made of,” he said.

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“We are seeing humanity in abundance. We share a common enemy in the virus and in doing so, South Yorkshire has responded with stronger communities.

“We are seeing many many acts of kindness, a new level of humanity and community spirit. If there is any good that can be taken from this torrid situation, let’s hope it is this.”

He played down reports of widespread mass gatherings and said only a ‘very small number’ of people have ‘wilfully’ breached lockdown rules aimed at preventing the spread of Covid-19.

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Chf Con Watson added: “Fixed penalty notices have been issued to 258 people. This has, in some circumstances, included arrests. For example, a car of four people was stopped, the driver was arrested for possession with intent to supply class A drugs and his three passengers were issued with a fixed penalty notice. The driver has since been charged.”

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Chf Con Watson said officers have been using the quieter roads during lockdown to identify criminals.

“Whilst the law abiding play their part and stay home, the roads are quieter; filled only with key workers and criminals. Two very different groups. The criminals stand out and make the lives of our road policing officers far more fruitful.

“In the last six weeks, these officers have removed many criminals from the road network for a range of offences including possession with intent to supply class A drugs, drink driving and immigration offences.

“Numerous cars have been seized, and stolen cars recovered along with around £100,000 in cash and a kilo of suspected class A drugs from one and around £80,000 of drugs from another. Policing continues.

“When the world stands still and criminals try to move around undetected, it becomes far more challenging for them.”