Covid test centre forced to close early after youths throw stones
A ROTHERHAM MP and the borough council have condemned the behaviour of stone-throwing yobs who forced a Covid test centre to close early.
The centre in the car park of Maltby Leisure Centre, had to close early on Tuesday after stones were thrown at staff, according to police.
South Yorkshire Police’s Rotherham South Neighbourhood Policing Team said “local youths” were believed to have been “throwing stones at the site and staff ”.
A spokesperson from Rotherham Council said that they are “disappointed” at the incident, and that measures to ensure staff’s safety are being put in place.
The spokesperson said: “We are disappointed that staff at the test site, who have been providing the borough with an essential service throughout the pandemic, have been subjected to antisocial behaviour.
“The council is working with partners to put a range of measures in place so that the test site at Maltby is safe for staff and customers.”
Rother Valley MP Alexander Stafford called the behaviour “unacceptable” and called for a “zero tolerance approach”.
Mr Stafford said: “If you know who is involved, do report them to the police.
“We must have a zero tolerance approach when it comes to this madness.
“The only way we can defeat Covid is by vaccinating and testing.
“If our local testing site is forced to close then it makes it harder to defeat the virus.”
It follows reports on February that vandals broke into a GP surgery in Stoke-on-Trent being used as a vaccination centre to drink beer and take drugs.
ITV reported that staff at Furlong Medical Centre in Tunstall were dismayed to find the remnants of what appeared to be a party – including cans, cigarette butts and drug bags – after entering one of the cabins.
Damage had also been caused including ‘‘cuts, gouges and stab marks’’ on one of the walls caused by a ‘‘sharp implement’’.
The centre has remained fully operational.