Some people are in the park... THEY THINK IT’S ALL OVER!
Thousands ignore advice and gather en masse to enjoy the hottest March day since 1968 ... now one city’s banned booze in parks after these scenes of mayhem
HUGE crowds gathered in parks and public spaces on the hottest March day in 53 years yesterday, as Matt Hancock warned revellers not to overdo it.
Although restrictions were eased slightly on Monday, people are still only supposed to gather outdoors in groups of no more than six.
But many appeared to throw caution to the wind yesterday amid soaring temperatures, with pictures showing packed beaches, parks and promenades.
Last night, the Health Secretary said: ‘Let’s enjoy the sun but let’s do it safely. We have come so far, don’t blow it now.’
Despite cases, hospitalisations and deaths all plunging to six-month lows, ministers are concerned that infections could surge again if the young are too cavalier. Yesterday, Kew Gardens in south-west London saw temperatures of 24.5C (76F), while temperatures reached 24C (75F) across southern and eastern areas. Many took advantage of the weather to bask in the sun at popular spots across the country.
Some of the most remarkable scenes yesterday took place in Woodhouse Moor, a park in the Hyde Park area of Leeds. Hundreds of people gathered in the sunshine, with little sign of social distancing. One frustrated local said yesterday afternoon: ‘There’s hundreds here – literally hundreds. People have barbecues going on. It’s really frustrating, to be honest. I get it, it’s 20C and people want to enjoy the weather, but we’re literally a few weeks away from lockdown ending. Can they not just wait?’
Large crowds blatantly broke the rules on Monday night at Nottingham’s Arboretum, brawling and leaving huge amounts of litter. An order has now been imposed giving officers the power to break up gatherings in the city. And Nottingham City Council leader David Mellen confirmed booze would be seized from anybody who tried to take it into a park from yesterday.
Elsewhere, crowds were also seen in parks across London. And there were also concerns over more chaotic scenes in Bristol last night at a further demonstration against the new public order Bill. It was the second-warmest March day on record and the warmest in 53
years. With the heatwave due to continue today, the March record of 25.6C (78F), set at Mepal, Cambridgeshire, in 1968, could still be broken.
However, polar air is set to arrive over the Easter weekend, with snow possible over the hills of North Wales and northern England by Easter Monday.
Nicola Maxey, Meteorological Office spokesman, said: ‘We are currently experiencing very warm conditions for the time of year. [But] we will see a marked contrast from tomorrow. We could see a 10C temperature change in some areas.’